In an email from Steve he says, “While I am seeking info on any allegedly haunted Owen Sound homes, businesses, or other locations, I am keenly interested in any that may have some actual history that goes along with them, i.e. names, history, etc.”

People with any such information can contact Steve directly at bookings@thedarkmaster.com

© Deb for theOwen.com, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Community, Literature, Owen Sound, Participation.

590 packages of crayons
898 duotangs
1143 pens
1283 spiral notebooks
1413 binders
1690 erasers, pencils, rulers and backpacks

Total cost of all supplies: over $35 000
Smile on child’s face knowing they have what they need to start school… priceless

The United Way of Bruce Grey is thrilled (if not exhausted) to announce it will be sending 1690 children and youth back to school with basic school supplies.

The United Way would like to thank everyone who pitched in, hauled supplies, held fundraisers, celebrated milestones and included the program, all donors and the countless volunteers that assembled the backpacks.

The United Way would like to acknowledge the following sponsors and supporters:

Staples Business Depot – Owen Sound, the program’s media sponsor. In addition the entire staff worked to raise over $7 000 in cash donations as well as at least the same value in supplies donated through the “Stuff the Bus” event.

Bruce Power for donating $15 000 and truly making our achievement possible

Bayshore Broadcasting, specifically 98 The Beach for the Code Breakers promotion and the Mix 106 Morning Show for keeping us in the minds of the public throughout August

Kiwanis Owen Sound who sponsored the purchase of all the crayons

Peninsula Ford who put forth a challenge to have their donation matched

Blackburn Radio, specifically The One for the “Giving Back Promotion” and Zellers for sponsoring the promotion

Meridian Credit Union who took donations throughout the counties and promoted the program in their branches

Both Bruce and Grey counties for distributing the program information to their Ontario Works recipients as for allowing us to us the Early Years Centers as “depots” so parents don’t have to travel to pick up their backpacks

The United Way acknowledges the support of its volunteers, from board members to backpack stuffers, the agencies that assisted us with distribution and needs assessment.

The local media for telling the stories of the children in need, stories that needed to be told, and for creating community discussion around issues of education and poverty

The United Way acknowledges its staff and most especially our Backpack Co-ordinator Michael Hay, who rose to the challenge of a 30% increase in demand, organized an army of volunteers to stuff the backpacks as well as keeping on top of inventory and “the list”.

And most importantly, a thank you to the entire community for their continued support of the United Way and its programs: without you there would be no way.

For more information please contact the United Way at 519 376 1560

-30-

United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. East
Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1
ph: 519-376-1560 fax: 519-376-5458
www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com
www.informationbrucegrey.ca
www.volunteerconnection.ca
www.211brucecounty.ca
www.211greycounty.ca

© Deb for theOwen.com, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Community, Guest Post.

10:00 – 5:00 Saturday August 29

A self-guided tour in the Owen Sound District exploring remarkable opportunities for spirit, mind and body.

This area has hundreds of wellness providers who offer a wide range of options for healthy living. The first-ever one-day Wellness Roadtrip will provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about energy healing, reiki, naturopathy, Native healing and spirituality, massage, yoga, dreamwork, aromatherapy, quantum bio feedback, ion cleansing, meditation, fitness, nutrition and more. On Saturday August 29 from 10:00 – 5:00, nine wellness venues in and around Owen Sound will open their doors to provide hands-on demonstrations, presentations, product samples and answers about their specific services.

Organized by a local alliance interested in expanding understanding of the many available local health options, the Wellness Roadtrip is based on the familiar artists’ studio tour model. The Wellness Roadtrip will showcase numerous approaches to traditional and alternative healing. With their $10 ticket, participants will have access to nine sites with over two dozen local experts on hand. In addition, there will be a grand prize of a Wellness Package (valued over $2500) including healthy treatments and products for one lucky participant.

Get your Wellness Roadtrip ticket now (available at The Ginger Press and Good Health Mart)!

For more information and tickets contact
Maryann Thomas
The Ginger Press
848 Second Avenue East
Owen Sound N4K 2H3
(519) 376-4233
maryann@gingerpress.com

© Deb for theOwen.com, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Community, Features, Participation, Wellness, Your Contributions, theOwen Features.

As if the music weren’t enough, there’s also the Artisan’s Village featuring the works of many talented folks including Silverstrong Jewellery Design, Henna – Under the Willows, Larry A. Cluchey Wood Turning, Mud Puppy Art Studio, Richard Mudd Pottery, Ron Belanger Guitars, Dan Paper-cutting Art Studio, Delicate Touch and so many more… and you certainly won’t go hungry there will be lots of great food and beverages to purchase as well.

So, are you convinced? I am. Hope to see you there!

© Deb for theOwen.com, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Community, Events, Features, Get Out, Music, Summerfolk.

The United Way of Bruce Grey is once again seeing an unprecedented increase in need in the community due to economic pressures.

This will be the 5th year that the United Way has sought to provide back to school supplies to low income families throughout the region. In 2008 the United Way saw a tripling of the need, when the back to school allowance was removed from families on government assistance.

At that time, it was hoped that the peak had been reached and the need would stabilize.

But the economy is challenging and jobs paying living wages are difficult to find, so the need is increasing.

The number of requests is already at 1105, in 2008 a total of 1240 backpacks were required to meet the need. The United Way anticipates a need of at least 1500 with the possibility of reaching 2000.

“The agencies in the region provide us with a list of what they need for their clients, we know these families are in need,” Francesca Dobbyn Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey states. “We’ve been also fortunate to have the two county social services departments communicate to their clients that this is a service they can access.”

The United Way has heard directly from teachers that the program is significant in reducing bullying and the marginalization of poor students. “The kids show up on the first day of school with all the tools they need, no one stands out as poor” Dobbyn asserts, “our goal is to have a backpack in these kids’ hands prior to the Labour Day weekend.”

The United Way is looking for support from the community for this project. “We were fortunate this year to get a summer student grant and Michael Hay is running the project for us. It’s very labour intensive, but it also means that all the donations go directly to providing the supplies, not to administration,” Dobbyn adds.

Donations can be made at Staples in Owen Sound, any TD Bank or Meridian Credit Union in Bruce and Grey Counties, or at by visiting the United Way at 380 9th Street East Owen Sound. Mastercard and VISA donations can be made by calling 519 376 1560 during regular business hours.

For more information please call Francesca at 519 376 1560

-30-

United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. East
Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1
ph: 519-376-1560 fax: 519-376-5458
www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com
www.informationbrucegrey.ca
www.volunteerconnection.ca
www.211brucecounty.ca
www.211greycounty.ca

© Deb for theOwen.com, 2009. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Community, Participation, Press Release, The Area.