Safe roads initiative has come to Simcoe County
COOKSTOWN NEWS
by Barb Baguley

Signs, signs everywhere there will be signs as Safe Roads … Your Call comes to Simcoe County. Tuesday April 22 will mark the launch of the program that encourages citizens to call 911 to report suspected impaired driver on roadways in our community. I'm proud to be a committee member in this project with the County of Simcoe, MADD and RIDE 24/7. Do your part and make our community safer.

The Innisfil Heritage Committee meeting at 1 p.m. at the New Town Hall Room C at 7 p.m. is open to the public.

The County of Simcoe is hosting a second round of open houses focusing on growth, transportation and natural heritage on Tuesday April 29 at the Nottawasaga Inn Bordeau Ballroom from 5 to 8:30 p.m., with a formal presentation at 7 p.m.

Cookstown United Church youth members are participating in a 30-hour famine in support of World Vision on April 26, with the Thornton UC and the Newmarket UC. Participants will be bowling and having a talent - no talent show. Contact Debbie Weleff at 458-9177 to sponsor participants or for more information.

Cookstown United Church members celebrated the site's 183 anniversary Sunday. Glenn thanked everyone for their prayers, cards and calls during his rehabilitation. The service started with Gospel music by Rick Grove and friends. Minister Thelma Arnott led the service with readers Bill and Bev Turkington, Marion Hudson and Patricia Welleff. My Eyes Have Seen The Glory was sung by Norah Miles. The joint Cookstown and Thornton choirs sang Three Things I Promise. A special thank you to all, including guest minister Rev. Lorne O'Neill, organist Brad Kiernan and Rick Grove and friends. A pot luck lunch was enjoyed after the service.

Cookstown Friends of the Library will hold their annual Mother's Day plant sale Saturday May 10, to support programs for the village's new library. The Friends will accept donations of any type of plant except annual flowers. Come buy perennials, vegetable plants and especially Ernie's tomatoes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Gilford Lions are hosting a free seminar on internet and child safety Thursday May 1 at 7 p.m. Detective Constable Matt Noble and author Christina Kilbourne, who wrote Dear Jo, a book that deals with internet exploitation, will make a presentation. This event is not suitable for children and will be held at the Honourable Earl Rowe Public School. For information, contact Lions Jack Ross at 456-2266 or Jean Hamilton at 456-3008.

Registration for story time and after school programs begins on May 6 at the Cookstown library branch with the following programs. Programs include family activity and story time for children of all ages on Wednesdays from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. All children must be accompanied by parent or caregiver.

A story time program with games, craft and stories is held for independent three to five-year-olds Thursdays from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.

The after school club is for five to eight-year-olds on Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30.

An aspiring actors club on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., where children will act in plays, create shows and make costumes, is also available.

The deadline is approaching for the Me to We Writing Contest at the Innisfil Public Library. For details, contact sbaues@innisfil.ca or call 458-1273.

Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit - Frogfest is in Cookstown. Play games and do what frogs do. To learn a froggy fact or two, jump on over to the Frogfest. Don't 'froget' to register. Frogfest is for children aged four to 10 and admission is $3. The event take place on May 8 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday May 24, the Cookstown library will be showing The Spiderwick Chronicles at 1 p.m.

The Canadian Cancer Society needs volunteers for their annual door to door canvas in Stroud, Alcona, Belle Ewart and Big Bay Point. Contact Andrew at 436-3107 for information.

The Lakeshore Friends of the Library are holding a fashion show and tea on Sunday May 4 at 2 p.m. at the Lakeshore library, located at 967 Innisfil Beach Road. There will be door prizes and lots of fun and friends. Tickets are $10.

Join the Irish Claddagh Club for Irish Heritage Day on Sunday June 8. Enjoy guest speakers, Irish dancers, live Irish music and displays of Irish wares. Call Renee at 431-1087 or Angie at 456-1595 for directions. Slainte!

Maple Leaf Seniors will hold a monthly business meeting at Cookstown United Church on May 6. New members ages 55 and up are welcome to attend. For further information, call 458-2219.

Get involved in Pitch In Day on Saturday May 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a barbecue for volunteers at the Churchill Community Centre. Participants are requested to meet at their local firehall to sign-in and get supplies. For details or to arrange for your community hours sheet to be signed contact Kim Creamer at 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. For information call 728-3721 or visit www.museum.simcoe.ca .

Be a part of recorded history by sharing your stories about Cookstown in a storytelling project at the curling club May 21. The project Coordinator is Donna Wice, and she can be reached at 436-2578. Interviewers are available to assist with the storytelling process.

South Simcoe Theatre will present Man of La Mancha opening April 24 until May 11. To order tickets call 458-4432.

York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan will be holding a fundraiser at the South Simcoe Theatre April 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $45. Contact Anne 456-3528 or office@york-simcoe.ca. Enjoy Man of La Mancha and meet Van Loan.

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