Tag: Society

Official Opening of Affordable Rental Housing on Munroe Street

John Draper

At a ceremony yesterday, 31 new apartments at 86 Munroe Street were declared available for rent.  But prospective renters were not waiting for the official opening – there were 100 applications received for the 31 units and several have already moved in.  The project was conceived and is owned by “Affordable Housing Solutions Corporation” but is funded with help from the Federal Government, Provincial Government, Northumberland County and the Town of Cobourg although details of the funding split were not released.  There are 27 one-bedroom units and 4 two-bedroom units of which 5 are accessible units.  The building has a shared amenity room and a laundry facility for all residents. The apartments rent for approximately 80 per cent of the… Read complete articleOfficial Opening of Affordable Rental Housing on Munroe Street

UNITY Project at Cobourg’s Farmers’ Market

John Draper

In June of 2016, Nancy Belmont created UNITY, an interactive public art project, as a response to the divisiveness and negative rhetoric in American politics.  In August 2016, it came to Port Hope (see link below) and on Saturday September 14, 2019 it came to Cobourg. Tricky to explain, it ends up with a structure of 32 poles around a centre pole all connected by yarn.  The idea is to see that we are all connected by something – and hopefully promote the idea that diversity builds a strong and vibrant community.  Nancy lives in Virginia but the Northumberland champion is Megan Deyman, the co-ordinator of the Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland Drug Strategy.  Other groups involved are Green Wood Coalition,… Read complete articleUNITY Project at Cobourg’s Farmers’ Market

Cornerstone at Council Meeting

John Draper

Cornerstone is an organization that everyone can support.  Dedicated to helping women suffering from domestic violence – to spell that out, that’s a man beating his wife – they do get some government money but not enough.  So they have fundraisers and their major one is the event called “Walk a mile in her shoes” which is being held in Cobourg at the Harvest festival on King Street on Saturday September 28.  While it started with a group of men wearing red high heel shoes, Cornerstone is now encouraging anyone to participate wearing any kind of shoes although they do have 100 red shoes you can borrow – of all sizes.  At the Committee of the Whole Council meeting on… Read complete articleCornerstone at Council Meeting

Sustainability Committee Chair wants East Village Improvements

John Draper

When the expansion of East Village was discussed in Council on 24 June, it was just about the need for a minor change to the Official Plan and a minor re-zoning change.  Despite this, Councillor Emily Chorley wanted advisory committees to be consulted about sustainability and accessibility despite the comment by Director Glenn McGlashon that there are few specifics so this would be premature.  As a result, the Sustainability and Climate Change Advisory Committee is holding a special meeting on Wednesday July 17, 2019 at 12:30 pm in the Committee Room, Victoria Hall, to consider a motion requiring very significant sustainability “improvements” to Stalwood’s plans.  Since the development is not even at site plan stage, there are no building plans… Read complete articleSustainability Committee Chair wants East Village Improvements

Student Entrepreneur Summer program – 2019

John Draper

Entrepreneurship in Northumberland is alive and well – seven students were at Staples this morning where they explained what their start-up businesses were about.  Funded by the Province to the tune of $3000 for each student and organized by the County’s Business and Entrepreneurship centre, Manager Rob Day said that 142 summer businesses have been started since 2001.  The idea is that some individuals like the idea of being an entrepreneur and may well be good at it, but lack experience or financing.  The program provides first hand knowledge on what’s needed to succeed – or at least point them in the right direction.  As well as cash, the program helps them with their business plan and assesses the viability… Read complete articleStudent Entrepreneur Summer program – 2019

Marie Dressler Foundation Awards Four $1000 Bursaries

John Draper

Once again, the Marie Dressler Foundation (MDF) has awarded bursaries to four outstanding students in Northumberland who are planning tertiary studies in the performing arts. On Saturday, 6 July 2019, awards of $1000 each were presented at Marie Dressler House which houses the amazing Museum dedicated to the memory of Marie Dressler – one of the three Canadian actresses to win an Academy award (the others were Mary Pickford and Norma Shearer). One of the four winners was honoured with the 2019 Bill Patchett Devotion to Community Award for exceptional community service. Many will know that Bill Patchett left us recently after a long life of working for many causes, big and small, including the restoration of Dressler house after… Read complete articleMarie Dressler Foundation Awards Four $1000 Bursaries

Cobourg Horticultural Society Awards Scholarship

John Draper

On Saturday at the Five Corners garden, the Cobourg Horticultural Society awarded a $1000 scholarship to Thomas Burgess, a graduate at St. Mary’s high school. The $1000 value was an increase from previous awards of $750. Thomas was selected from 5 applicants who were all judged to be “good”. He had high marks and is planning to study for a degree of Conservation Biology at Trent University. He describes himself as interested in all things outdoors and has experience in farming, tree culture, and eco-system management in parks including Presqu’ile Provincial Park where he studied the flora and fauna of the park. Thomas wants to work as a research scientist doing field work in environmental studies and conservation investigating diverse biomes and ecosystems… Read complete articleCobourg Horticultural Society Awards Scholarship

Birthday Party for Special Ladies

John Draper

On Tuesday 18 June, Alma Draper with the help of Roma Colbert (and others), put on a party for ladies living in Northumberland County who were born in 1939 – 103 of them.  This was the year the second World War started and the year of the first visit by a reigning monarch. It’s the third celebration Alma has organized for this group – the first two were in 2009 and 2014.  Held at the Best Western with men strictly banned, the event was launched by Town Crier Mandy Robinson, MPP David Piccini gave every lady a rose, Councillor Nicole Beatty spoke briefly and MP Kim Rudd sent a congratulatory message. After the speeches there was a three course lunch… Read complete articleBirthday Party for Special Ladies