Cookstown residents have reason to celebrate
COOKSTOWN NEWS
by Barb Baguley

There is good reason to celebrate this week in Cookstown. The Province of Ontario has approved a $2.8 million grant to assist with the construction of the new Cookstown library and community centre on the former Cookstown Agricultural Society property.

The grant money and additional funds that resulted from lower than expected bids means some of the features pulled due to cost constraints can now be included. This facility will reflect the ideas presented by the people of Cookstown, who worked with the Innisfil Public Library Board to identify community needs.

The Friends of the Library, recognizing the importance of an up-to-date library in the community, are fundraising to support programs and events. Meetings are held monthly. The next meeting will be held at the Cookstown branch April 9 at 7 p.m. This would be a very exciting time to join this group.

Join the book club: Share your thoughts about books with other people who love to read. Call 458-1273 to sign up. The next Cookstown book club meeting will be held April 16 at 7 p.m. when In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore will be discussed.

Family Story time is held Wednesdays from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.

Upcoming movie at the Cookstown branch: The Water Horse, Saturday April 5th at 1 p.m. $2 per ticket, $1 per snack/refreshment. Coming soon is The Spiderwick Chronicles and Horton Hears a Who.

The Simcoe County Museum is hosting a free Accessibility Day on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for seniors and persons with disabilities. There will be free admission, museum tours, product displays, education and information sessions and a free barbecue lunch. For information call 728-3721 or www.museum.simcoe.ca. Groups are asked to preregister.

The Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce and Nantyr Shores Secondary School are presenting Claude Haggerty, one of North America's largest touring illusionist shows on Aprill 11. at the school beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 or $12 with a non-perishable food item for the food bank. Advance tickets are available at the GICC office, 7896 Yonge Street, in Stroud.

Wing Ding will celebrate 25 years in Cookstown on June 7 and 8. The Cookstown and District Chamber of Commerce is striving for the biggest and best year yet to mark this anniversary. Plan your garage sale and get ready for a great time. There will be a children's area located behind the Royal Bank and details are being finalized. Cookstown not-for-profit groups are encouraged to apply for a $10 booth, and vendor booths are available by contacting Deirdre at 458-4492. You can also visit www.cookstown.ca for an application. There will be a dance on Saturday evening with the Green River Revival, a great local CCR cover band. Tickets are $5 with proceeds to the Cookstown Library Building Fund. Ticket sale locations be announced soon. Contact Laurie Munroe at Will Silks at 458-9212 for details.

The Innisfil Historical Society is hosting its next monthly meeting April 19. All are welcome at the Knock School, located at 7756 10th Sideroad, beginning at 2 p.m. Guest speaker Peter Dickey of the Dickey Bee Honey will speak about running a bee keeping business in Innisfil.

There is a unique opportunity to participate in a story telling experience on May 21 at the Cookstown Curling Club. Start now by jotting down ideas you have for stories and anecdotes about Cookstown, including remembrances of stories told to you.

The Town of Innisfil is accepting applications for two volunteer positions on the Simcoe County District School Board's Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) for Cookstown Central Public School (Area D). This group will address enrolment, programming and building condition challenges. You do not need to have children attending school to apply. This review enables the public to make informed recommendations to the board. More information can be obtained by contacting the board or visiting www.scdsb.on.ca. If you would like to apply, send a letter with a resume to the clerk at the Town of Innisfil before April 4.

The $418,000 intersection repair work at highways 27 and 89 will begin early in the spring.

Something new is happening at South Simcoe Theatre, with auditions on April 12. The theatre is excited to offer four play readings showcasing the talents of local, national and international playwrights. Four Play is a showcase of play readings intended to offer new and unique opportunities to members and the audience. It is hoped that this opportunity will attract first time or entry level actors, directors and producers. This is a terrific way to wet your feet at the theatre. No physical acting is involved.

After four read-through rehearsals, actors will read the play to the audience. Performances are Wing Ding Weekend June 5 to 8. The rehearsal schedule will be available at the time of auditions. No preparation is necessary. You may audition for more than one play at your appointed time. You will be asked to read an excerpt from one or more of the selected plays. Auditions will be held at the theatre from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12. Schedule an appointment by calling Louise Macdonald at 905- 775-3505.

South Simcoe Theatre will present Man of La Mancha April 24 to May 11. Adult Accompaniment Recommended. Adult accompaniment is recommended.

To audition, e-mail manoflamancha@southsimc oetheatre.com. To order tickets, call 458-4432. To get involved, contact Lousie at lrmacdonald2003@yahoo.ca.

Get involved in the annual spring clean-up on Pitch In Day May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is followed by a barbecue for volunteers at the Churchill Community Centre at noon.

The Cookstown Cooperative Play Group will be meeting in the Cookstown library in April. All new members are welcome and encouraged to contact Karla at 905-778-1507.

Please contact me at abaguley@bconnex.net or 458-9358 with your news for our community.