Other Community News
One World Music Festival Brings Cultural Richness
Comments from John French, Founder and artistic director of Brookside Music Association and the One World Music Festival
August 26, 2024 – I am incredibly proud of the success of this year’s One World Music Festival. The festival brought together an extraordinary lineup of local and global performers, creating a vibrant celebration of music and culture that resonated with audiences from all walks of life. The diversity and talent showcased on our stage truly set a new standard for what this festival can be.
Looking ahead, I am filled with hope and excitement for the future. We envision the One World Music Festival becoming a major tourism attraction, drawing visitors to experience the unique energy and cultural richness our community has to offer. To make this vision a reality, we are counting on increased support from our community—both in terms of volunteers who share our passion for music and cultural exchange, and financial backing from local organizations that believe in our mission.
With your continued support, I am confident that the One World Music Festival will grow to become a cornerstone event that unites people through the universal language of music for many years to come. Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this point; the best is yet to come.
The crowd speaks…
What a brilliant event! Midland is so lucky! – Hillary Braime
Great idea ! Huge potential !keep it going John very creative of you ! Community will greatly benefit creatively ! – André Desroches
The One World Music Festival was incredible. Two days of absolutely amazing talent from all over the world. Not only was the talent phenomenal but the event was well run, engaging, and well thought out. We had the best time at the festival and we are so lucky to have an amazing group of people put on such a great event! I can’t say enough good things!
Councillor Jamie-Lee Ball
It was AMAZING!!! We came from Peterborough and were absolutely blown away! The music was beyond belief — unlike any festival we’ve ever been to — and all for a measly $10. How is this possible? From Uganda to Spain to Argentina with a big dollop of top shelf local talent with the incredible Ariko and Huronia Hot Strings. And a setting to die for with the backdrop of Little Lake and the natural hillside amphitheatre with superbly designed seating.
Our only question — why wasn’t it packed?!
Mary Delaney (Peterborough)
John French, you can be sure we will be promoting it in our neck of the woods. We will be talking about it for days to come, as well as looking up these performers on line. We learned this, for instance, about Payadora (www.payadora.com), the group that brought everyone to their feet: “Payadora’s third and latest CD, the critically acclaimed “Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango”, reached #1 on the World Music Charts in Europe”.
Mary Delaney
We had an incredible time at the festival! Such an impressive lineup.
I hope that this grows and that more people talk about it so that everyone will put it on their calendar for next year!
Heidi Schwarzkopf (Toronto)
Karma Concert 2024 Raises $10,000 for Hospice Huronia
Submitted by JoAnne Warren
Midland, ON – July 29, 2024 – The annual Karma Concert 2024 was a resounding success, raising an impressive $10,000 in support of Hospice Huronia. The event, held on July 13, brought together music lovers and community members for an evening of unforgettable performances and heartfelt generosity. Nearly 500 tickets were sold, including 100 Karma Kids tickets, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation.
The event showcases local talent with attendees voting on their favourite acts. The top-voted performance then gets to choose what local charity received all proceeds from the event. Dan Laurin, Evan Lahaie and Dave Koetz of The Anchormen were voted as the top performers and chose Hospice Huronia to receive the $10,000 raised.
“We are overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm from everyone who attended Karma Concert 2024,” said Julie Hartman, host of the event. “Raising $10,000 for Hospice Huronia is a testament to the community’s dedication to making a positive impact. We send out gratitude to all the Karma goers who made this possible.”
Hospice Huronia provides compassionate end-of-life care and support to individuals and families in the region. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting their vital services.
We would like to thank our sponsors, volunteers, performers, and attendees for their contributions to this successful event. Shout out to Larmand Group Private Wealth Management, Stone Tree Inc., Reve Interior Design Studio, Poppy and Peonies, Constellations Child Care, and RC Backline for their generous contributions to Karma 024. Together, we created a night filled with music, joy, and generosity.
A huge thank you to all the musicians who shared their talent: Ken Allen, DJ and Daughter, Jamie Schaack, Bowen, You, Me and KP, Walter Dandy, The Big Easy, Kyle Tippin, Wet Sheets, Big Decision, Em Rey, Salamonies, Bopper et Al, and 4K
Golf tournament surpasses $1M raised for GBGH
Submitted by GBGH
August 13, 2024 – On July 12, 2024, 144 golfers gathered at the Midland Golf & Country Club for the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Classic, raising $192,755 for Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). This brings the total raised to $1,002,000 for the GBGH Foundation since 2016, supporting vital equipment investments such as scope cleaning machines, automated medication dispensing units, surgical expansion and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Project.
“More than $1-million raised for our hospital is such an incredible accomplishment for this passionate and hard-working group of volunteers,” says Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation. “They are making such a difference at GBGH through their investment in equipment and technology, and we are so grateful to each of them for their ongoing support.”
This year’s funds once again supported bringing an MRI machine to GBGH. With the donation from the tournament, total donations to the MRI fund have exceeded $2.9-million of the $4-million goal.
“I have personally been to Barrie or Toronto for an MRI on multiple occasions,” says Glenn Howard, tournament chair. “I know that having one in Midland will speed up appointment times, and help people get answers sooner. We [the committee] are so thankful to all of our amazing partners and sponsors who helped us raise a record-breaking $192,000 for our hospital this year. We just can’t thank them enough.”
The tournament was supported with a generous $50,000 donation from Marco Mancini, along with sponsorship from Tom Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC, Charles Morden Construction Inc., Scotiabank, NT Power, Thor Wealth Management, Balm Beach Windows & Doors, Robert Snyder & Suzanne Strongman, Midland Toyota and Paul & Sharon Harbottle. Many local businesses also provided Hole-in-One contests, prizes and auction items which added to the total revenue.
“It is awe-inspiring to see the support from businesses and individuals grow every year at this event,” adds Kraftscik. “Everyone loves it because of the fun and energy at the tournament, but also because together, everyone involved has a bigger impact on our local hospital.”
Anyone interested in learning more about organizing an event to benefit GBGH is encouraged to visit https://gbghf.ca/partnership-events/
Huronia Community Foundation Updates
By Scott Warnock
August 18, 2924 – Established in 2020 by Jane Courtemanche in memory of her son Duncan, the Bimbombay Memorial Endowment Fund supports initiatives to help youth struggling with mental health issues. This year Jane’s donation once again supports the North Simcoe Youth Wellness Hub. The “HUB” offers a wide range of services to youth ages 12-25, at the RIGHT TIME and THE RIGHT PLACE. Jane is shown second on the left.
Recently the Explorer’s Club at Askennonia Seniors Centre headed out for a beautiful ride on THE FLASH. Joining the club was HCF Executive Director Scott Warnock. The trip was made possible thanks to a grant from the Heart of Georgian Bay Community Forward Fund at Huronia Community Foundation, Says Judy Contin, Executive Director, Askennonia Seniors Centre,” thanks again for your ongoing support.”
Once again the St, Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Food Bank in Victoria Harbour is the recipient of a Smart and Caring Grant from the HCF Community Fund and the John and Jan MacIntyre Community Fund. This year SVDP will use their grant to create a budget friendly recipe book. “We now have the funds to be able to print enough copies to put one in each of our Christmas Hampers. A gift to our clients so they can make nutritious meals for themselves and their families.” explains Mary Warnock, President.
Midland Civitan Club enhances services at GBGH
Submitted by GBGH
August 20, 2024 – In July, the Midland Civitan Club donated $10,000 to help fund a new MRI machine at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). This gift brings the total amount raised for the MRI machine to $2.92-million of the GBGH Foundation’s $4-million goal.
An MRI at GBGH will enhance overall patient experience and reduce wait times, improving health outcomes for individuals across the area GBGH serves. Construction on the 2,000 square foot addition to house the MRI began in June 2024, and is expected to be completed early in 2025.
“We feel that the addition of an MRI facility will only enhance the services of our local hospital and help better serve the residents of North Simcoe,” says Mike Tinney, president, Midland Civitan Club. “Our hospital is probably the single most important part of our community and I’m sure that we will continue to support it as long as we can.”
The Midland Civitan Club has been investing in excellent care at GBGH for more than 20 years, with total gifts of more than $75,000. The club has supported the purchase of a new CT scanner, the renovation of the Emergency Department and many pieces of equipment.
“The generosity and kindness of the Midland Civitan Club continues to make a difference at GBGH,” says Victoria Evans, key relationships officer, GBGH Foundation. “Their investment today is helping us get even closer to an MRI at GBGH, and we are so thankful that they have chosen to support our community in this way.”
For more information on the MRI project at GBGH, please visit: https://gbghf.ca/current-needs/mri/
3 North Band donates to Food Bank
By Neil Lefaive
August 23, 2024 – Because of the generosity of the people in attendance of the 93 North Band’s Bayside Soirée and Tugboat Festival performances, this time, it’s the Penetanguishene’s St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank that was the recipient of a $600.00 donation. The band members thank all who donated for their generosity and for attending their shows.
Present on behalf of the band are Greg Somers (L) and Roger Lacroix (R).
Boston Pizza supports Wendat Community Programs
Submitted by Andrea Abbott-Kokosin
August 15, 2024 – Since 2005, Boston Pizza Midland has donated $586,844 to Wendat Community Programs through their annual Charity Golf Tournament. The 18th annual tournament was held on Monday June 24, 2024, at Brooklea Golf Course and raised $63,434.
All proceeds raised by Boston Pizza at the golf tournaments are used to purchase passenger vans to transport clients to and from a range of programs provided by Wendat Community Programs.
“Thanks to Boston Pizza Midland, we can ensure that transportation is available to bring adults with mental illness to our social club and frail seniors to our Day Program. We are thankful for this ongoing support”, said Andrea Abbott-Kokosin, Executive Director at Wendat. “We thank Andy Staffen and the staff of Boston Pizza Midland for their hard work and support of Wendat.”
Currently, there are four vans on the road, pictured below is the newest van, a Ford Transit, outside Boston Pizza in Midland with a group of staff and clients along with Andy Staffen of Boston Pizza.
Wendat Community Programs provides high quality care and support services to adults experiencing mental illness or age-related challenges in the Simcoe-Muskoka area. Wendat has been in operation since 1987.
Photo left to right: Dean Farrel, Property Manager Wendat Community Programs, Peggy a client of Wendat, Verna Porter Administrative Assistant Wendat, Andy Staffen, Owner Boston Pizza, Andrea Abbott-Kokosin, Executive Director Wendat, Lorraine, a client of Wendat and Garth a client of Wendat)
