Present: Jessica Busch, WORC; Chantal Perron MacIntosh, WORC; John Santarossa, EDO Magnetawan; Cole Dault, EDO Perry Township; Merv Mulligan, McMurrich/Monteith; Ron Patton, Kearney Dog Sled Races; Roy Williamson; David Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Inc.; Ron Begin, FedNor; Jeff Johnston, KPABA; Don Carter, Whitestone; Carly Hughes, Business Centre of Nipissing/Parry Sound; Rosalind Hall, Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Dave Gray, CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Dustin Morningstar, CAEDA; Laura Johnston, EDO CAEDA; Carole Mantha, MNDM; Curtis Kingsbury, MNDM; Jackie McAvoy; Treasure Lotton.
Regrets: Laura Irwin, Employment North; Hazel Hornibrook, AHAC.
Motion to write a letter to Perry Township re: Cole Dault 1st – Jessica Busch 2nd – Don Carter All in favour.
Don Carter/Whitestone
Don reported that many people in Whitestone are becoming involved in Economic Development – great to see! The Legion is hosting several weekly activities such as darts and cards. The Library is hosting several weekly activities as well and are in the planning stages of celebrating their 40th anniversary. The Whitestone Rod & Gun Club held a fishing derby on March 9th which was attended by 57 participants from across Canada and the United States. Community Hall Rentals have double in the past year. There are also two new businesses opening in Whitestone – Kelsey’s Mill and a new Skidoo rep.
Carly Hughes/The Business Centre
Carly reported on the events held in the month of March. The International Women’s Day Celebration was held in Parry Sound on the 5th and North Bay on the 6th – both events being very successful. Aboriginal Day was held in Parry Sound on March 20th and North Bay on the 19th. The next Lunch and Learn event will be held at the Parry Sound Canadore College Campus on March 28th from 12:30 – 1:30 and the topic will be “Time Management”. The deadline is fast approaching (Mid May) for the FedNor Business Plan Challenge and the Summer Company Program aimed at participants between the ages of 15 – 29.
Rosalind Hall/Burk’s Falls, Armour, Ryerson
Rosalind introduced Dave Gray, the Community Development Officer in partnership with Armour, Ryerson and Burk’s Falls.
Dave Gray/Community Development Officer, Burk’s Falls, Armour, Ryerson
Dave created a presence for the area by launching a Facebook Page. Dave stressed that anyone in the Almaguin Highlands can cross promote through this page with lots of community events being posted already – please visit www.facebook.com/cdobar
March 30th, there will be a ham and scalloped potato dinner held from 5 – 7:00 at the Burk’s Falls, Armour and Ryerson Community Centre in support of the RCMP Musical Ride, this dinner is following a jamboree held at the Katrine Community Centre by the Canadian Cancer Society. The RCMP Musical Ride is to be held on Saturday June 1st at the Burk’s Falls Agricultural Society Fair Grounds. The 4th Annual Garage Sale will be held on Saturday May 11th with all proceeds going to the Royal Lepage Foundation – items can be dropped off at Royal Lepage. The Lions are holding a 50/50 draw with all proceeds going to the Food Bank. Every third Friday there is an Open Coffee House being held at the Village Pub in Burk’s Falls with all money raised going toward the Jamboree – all talent is welcome. A business directory is currently being compiled for the area. Dave encouraged those with community events to feel free to post on the newly created Facebook page.
Dustin Morningstar/CAEDA
Dustin is the new student intern working with CAEDA. CAEDA has a new website – you can check it out at www.centralalmaguin.net Monday March 25th there will be an “Introduction to Social Media” being held at the Sundridge Village Office at 6:00 p.m.
Laura Johnston/CAEDA
Laura reported that the new website is up and a Facebook page is in development. April 22nd there will be a Funder’s Forum taking place at Corner Wines in South River at 7:00 p.m – please RSVP to Laura Johnston by calling 705-840-6431 or email ljohnstoncaeda@gmail.com The next quarterly newsletter will be coming out in April and the online business directory is almost complete.
Carole Mantha/MNDM
Carole commended the interns around the table on some great momentum and initiatives coming out of the area.
Curtis Kingsbury/MNDM
Curtis is the new student co-op from Canadore. He reported he has been taking care of a lot of evaluations, summer job services and other programs. He will be attending a job fair on April 16th at the North Bay Legion.
Jessica Busch/WORC
Jessica announced that the Women’s Own Resource Centre has secured funding for the 2013-15 term. The Entrepreneurial Skills Training has wrapped up for the Spring sessions with 13 women completing the course successfully. The one day resource workshop held on March 20th was a success as well with numerous participants requesting further services and support from the Women’s Centre - many participants suggested an annual event. The next Almaguin Women’s Resource & Business Network will take place on April 24th with the topic being “Facebook 101”.
John Santarossa/Magnetawan
John reported that the Municipality is exploring a solar project which could generate income for the Municipality. An Economic Advisory Council starts in April and is made up of 6 members. An information kiosk has been set up in the Municipal office lobby for businesses. The issue of affordable housing is being discussed with a volunteer group. John is currently working on business outreach and updating the business directory.
Cole Dault/Perry Township
Cole announced there is new management at the Almaguin Highlands Information Centre. Algonquin Base Camp (formerly Trailside Adventure Co.) will begin operating the Centre as of April 1st. The AHIC’s hours of operation will be 8 – 4 until June; the months of July and August, the Centre will be open from 7 – 5. The 2013 budget was adopted on April 3rd at a regular council meeting. Perry Township’s OP is currently being revised and is expected to be adopted in April. The Parks & Recreation Committee is organizing the 5th annual Ball Hockey Tournament – registration can be found on the Township website, the Township office or at Foodland. Lynn Weller has decided she will not be taking over the role of Farmer’s Market Manager – discussions continue regarding this. Cole informed the group that this could potentially be his last meeting at AHED. A motion was made to write a letter on behalf of AHED indicating what a huge benefit Cole has been to not only the AHED committee but also to the region as a whole.
Merv Mulligan/McMurrich Monteith
Merv reported that the skidoo trails are still open – big tourism draw. The rink however is currently closed. The Easter Bunny was in Sprucedale on Saturday March 23rd from 1 – 3 at the Community Centre, along with kids games and an Easter egg hunt. The Seniors are very busy with Bingo on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m., ladies euchre on Tuesday afternoons, regular euchre on Thursdays and a thrift shop on Saturdays from 11 – 3. The recreation committee is exploring the possibility of a disc golf course in vicinity of the Community Centre as an enhancement. There will be an afternoon of entertainment at the Katrine Community Centre on Saturday March 30th from 12 – 5 with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Ron Patton/Kearney Dog Sled Races
Planning and preparation are already underway for the dog sled races next year – it will be the 20th anniversary of the event. They are working on better advertising, more trails, more booths/vendors and entertainment. Ron emphasized that the event affects the entire area not just Kearney.
David Stewart/Almaguin Highlands Inc.
Dave discussed his website stating that his focus is on mapping and promoting region, community based events, links to communities and awareness of the area. Dave stressed the importance of information sharing as a region. Dave also sits on the research committee for Explorer’s Edge and sits on the Park 2 Park Trail Committee which is focusing on tracking trail usage, and the potential for trail heads throughout the area.
Ron Begin/FedNor
Ron commented that it is great to see all these clusters of organizations working together, FedNor likes to assist groups vs. individuals. The LIC (Local Initiatives Contribution), delivered through NECO will be closing soon – any interested not for profit agencies or municipalities should apply as soon as possible to access these funds (could be used for meetings/events, funders forum for example). It is encouraging to see the farmer’s markets making a comeback, Ron suggested more co-ordination and co-operation among the various markets, perhaps funding could be accessed for items such as tables, chairs and tents if they were shared by the various markets around the region.
Jeff Johnston/KPABA
Jeff announced that the next Quarterly Connection Seminar will be on April 16th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Kearney Community Centre Seniors Lounge. Guestspeakers will be FedNor and Muskoka Community Networks – everyone is welcome. The next KPABA monthly newsletter will be out at the beginning of April – please let Jeff know if you would like to add any events, cutoff is generally a few days before end of month. If you are not currently on the distribution list and would like to be, please feel free to contact Jeff. The 2013 directory update is underway, the directory will be updated and published as the need arises. KPABA has been approved to take over the Kearney Regatta including the street dance – vendors and entertainment are being arranged for the event.
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