Action should be taken on historic buildings
COOKSTOWN NEWS
by Barb Baguley

The Town of Innisfil needs to take action to preserve historic and heritage buildings throughout the municipality and never has this been more apparent than during the past week.

When fire destroys a home it is indeed a tragedy we can do little about, but when sound century-old homes are demolished by developers, it is a tragedy that should be prevented in the best interest of society.

There is great pride in our community about our buildings, our heritage and history. Old farm houses and barns are reminders of where we came from and are often considered monuments to the people who built the community we now call home.

When one of these treasured buildings is destroyed, the community feels the loss because a piece of our town is lost forever. Structures dating back decades stand as evidence that this is a sustainable, growing community built on a strong foundation. The town should act now to ensure historic buildings in Innisfil are preserved and our past protected. Let your council know what you think.

The Cookstown library branch invites you to join in the Me to We writing

contest at the Innisfil Public Library. If you're in Grade 6 to 8 and

had the power to change the world, what would you do? Here is your

assignment: Write an essay, maximum of 500 words, explaining your choice and submit it via email to sbaues@innisfil.ca, or drop it off at any branch of the library by May 3. You could win two tickets to see Craig Keilburger's Me to We presentation at the Gryphon Theatre on Tuesday May 13 at 7 p.m. Call 458-1273 for more information.

Friends of the Library will meet at the Cookstown branch on Wednesday 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 Wednesday April 16 at 7 p.m. when In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore will be discussed.

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

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. To sign-up, contact the town office at 436-3710.

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 barbecue lunch. Attendant care will be provided and accessible transit has been planned in cooperation with Barrie Accessible Community Transportation Service (BACTS) at a variety of pick up points. To arrange and schedule pick up on May 7, contact Rick at 431- 7077. For information about the day call 728-3721 or visit www.museum.simcoe.ca. If your organization wishes to participate by setting up a display table or giving a five to 10 minute presentation on services or activities provided by your organization, contact Margaretta at 728-0056 prior to April 16. Groups are asked to pre-register.

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 April 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, personal observations and happenings around the village. Be a part of recorded history.

The Pub running group is designed as a social way to prepare for any fitness goal. Bring water and a good pair of running shoes Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Contact Johanne at johanne@silver-ins.on.ca or 905-936-4374 for information.

Something new is happening at South Simcoe Theatre with auditions on April 12. Four Play readings will showcase the talents of local, national and international playwrights. Four Play is intended to offer new and unique opportunities to members and the audience. It is hoped that this initiative will attract first time or entry level actors, directors and producers.

This is a terrific way to wet your feet at the theatre. 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 is recommended. To audition, e-mail manoflamancha@southsimc oetheatre.com, or to order tickets call 458-4432. To get involved, contact Lousie at lrmacdonald2003@yahoo.ca.

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