Swinging for a Better World: Rotary’s Annual Golf Tournament Back on the Green
By Jason Wilson
MIDLAND – July 23, 2025 – The Rotary Clubs of Midland & Penetanguishene will be hosting their 27th installment of their Rotary Foundation Golf Tournament on Monday, August 25th at the Bonaire Golf Club in Coldwater.
The annual tournament that started in 1998, raises funds for the Rotary Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international, humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs. Moneys raised get allocated to District Grants which support service projects in our community and around our Rotary District, Global Grants which support major global service projects, and Polio Plus Grants which support efforts to eradicate Polio from the planet. The Foundation is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share a vision of a better world.
In 2022 and 2023, the tournament raised a little over $20,000 each year for the Rotary Foundation, and last year the tournament raised a whopping $25,000! This was achieved through the generous support of our community and surrounding areas. Local businesses providing sponsorships of various levels, local businesses and individuals donating items for prizes and the silent auction, and of course the participants at the event through their registration fee, Fun Pack purchases and participation in the silent auction.
This year’s Title Tournament Sponsors are Dillon’s Woodfired Pizza and the Bourgeois Auto Group. Gold Sponsors are Jarlette Health Services, Jill Charlesbois-Richards Co-operators, Midland Foodland, and MASTERGRAIN. Midland Home Hardware is a Silver Sponsor and McDonald’s of Midland is a Bronze Sponsor. And there are dozens of Hole & Cart Sponsors and those that have donated items for prizes and silent auction.
Anyone interested in sponsoring or donating a prize or auction item are encouraged to email us at golf@midlandrotary.org. Anyone looking for a fun day of golf, fellowship and fundraising, please register at midlandrotary.org/golf.
Popular Library Staff Member Retires – By Jodie Player Delgado
MIDHURST – July 25, 2025- The Midhurst Branch of Springwater Township Public Library was busy on Wednesday night after hours, as many residents came to say good-bye to long-time staff member, Kathy Cook.
Kathy, who has been with Springwater Library since May 2006, announced her retirement a couple of months ago, and her last official day is July 30. As many of the community members commented, she always knew their name, even if they hadn’t been in the Library for months. They thanked Kathy for her help finding them books and recommending new authors, and for all the programs she implemented.
In her years at the Midhurst Branch, Kathy was responsible for many programs including the popular Reading Buddies, Ladies Night Out and the Silent Auction fundraisers, the Happy Bookers Club, Princess Tea Parties, and the Smile Campaign which gave back to the Elmvale and District Food Bank. She brought in the authors Kelly Armstrong, Ted Barris, Nita Prose, and Ashley Audrain. She did programs for children and adults and partnered with many in the community who came in to share information and teach new skills. She loved working with the many outstanding volunteers who helped out every day and celebrating them with the Volunteer Tea.
“Kathy has been a valuable member of our staff, and we congratulate her on her retirement. She is amazing at customer service and I’m sure our patrons will miss seeing her smiling face behind the desk,” says Jodie Player Delgado, CEO of Springwater Township Public Library.
When Kathy was asked to reflect on her time at the Library, she responded; “Springwater Library has been an incredible and fun place to work due to my awesome coworkers, the opportunity to be creative, to network with our community and to serve each one of you!! It has been an honour and privilege for which I feel very blessed. I will treasure the relationships and memories for many years to come!!”
The consensus from everyone on Wednesday night was that Kathy will be missed.
TAY TOWNSHIP – Proposed Waverley subdivision prompts concerns for aquifer, burial site
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, Jul 25, 2025
TAY TOWNSHIP – Consideration for a subdivision was given for a Waverley plot of land, but some concerns regarding drainage and the local cemetery were raised at a recent public meeting in Tay Township.
The discussion revolved around an application for approval of a draft plan of subdivision for 6424, 6474 and 6462 County Rd. 93 (Penetanguishene Road), located at the southern corner of County Road 27 and Penetanguishene Road, as well as a proposed zoning bylaw amendment.
The majority of the 41.9 acres (16.9 hectares) was primarily agricultural land designated by the Simcoe County Official Plan as a settlement area, and in the Tay Township Official Plan under village residential. A small section of land listed as village commercial was requested for a zoning change to village residential, as it would permit development of single-family dwelling residential lots.
Proposed by planner Celeste Phillips were two draft plans at the meeting: a version where two recreational blocks were separated on either side of a stormwater management block, and a version where they consolidated into a single recreational block behind several County Road 93 residences, with a drainage easement extending to the road.
Estimated for 52 proposed lots at roughly 2,000 square metres in the first draft plan — each with its own well and septic system — the second offering would reduce the lots to 51 but keep the recreational space as a whole unit.
Residents and council shared concern about a proposed stormwater management pond located behind the Waverley United Church Cemetery. When asked by Mayor Ted Walker about the capacity of the pond, David Reid, of Tatham Engineering, replied it would be engineered for a 100-year storm with an additional overflow pipe feeding toward County Road 93 but designed to meet pre-development levels so as to not add more water onto the road.
While another concern raised involved additional wells in the vicinity, a hydrogeological assessment by Tatham had surprised Phillips on its capacity.
“The well results were amazing — a wonderful aquifer that provides sufficient water for the proposed 52 lots and probably more than that,” she said.
A question about traffic, speed, and widening roads with a minimum six-metre (curb-to-curb) paved road width prompted Phillips to explain: “Whenever you’re applying for a change in zoning, the county is always wanting to take a widening for free because that’s the opportunity to do so.”
“If the county is to take the widening and actually use it, they would be affecting burial sites within the graveyard,” she said. “I would just push back on that a little bit, and say that the recommendation from the traffic experts is to reduce the speed limit coming into Waverley from the west.”
With regard to parkland in the proposed subdivision, discussion among council members lingered on accessibility for youth to playgrounds; Walker noted the busy County Road 27 and County Road 93 leaned an emphasis toward each subdivision hosting its own residential area.
Coun. Gerard LaChapelle expressed caution, citing parkland within a development on the north side of County Road across the road.
“I just don’t want to get in a situation — and we’ve been down this road before — we built it and they do not come,” he said.
With no further questions from the public or council, it was asked that members of the public wanting to comment further on the proposed matter provide written letters to the Tay Township planning department at 450 Park St., P.O. Box 100, Victoria Harbour, Ont., L0K 2A0, or by email at planning@tay.ca.
Further information on the public meeting can be found on the Tay Township website.
Tay council meets for committee of the whole meetings every second Wednesday of the month, and regular council meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month. Archives and livestreams of council meetings are available through the Tay Township YouTube channel.
Saddle Up! Wasaga’s First Mayor’s Rodeo & Hootenanny Rides In This Fall – By Town of Wasaga Beach
WASAGA BEACH – July 16, 2025 – Wasaga Beach Presents the First Annual Mayor’s Charity RAM Rodeo and Hootenanny Fall Festival – October 4 and 5, 2025.
From bareback riding and barrel racing to bull riding and saddle bronc riding – grab the family for a full day of classic rodeo fun in support of local charities and causes “Saddle up!” said Mayor Brian Smith. “The Wasaga Beach Mayor’s RAM Rodeo will showcase top youth and adult talent from our local area and beyond – from bareback riding and barrel racing to bull riding and saddle bronc riding and more. Grab the family for a full day of classic rodeo fun in support of local charities and causes.”
On October 4 and 5, the Town of Wasaga Beach is trading in its flip flops for cowboy boots. The Town has partnered with RAM Rodeo to present the first annual Mayor’s Charity RAM Rodeo, which will take place during Wasaga Beach’s annual Hootenanny Fall Festival.
The event will showcase rodeo fans and competitors of all ages, with cowboys and cowgirls competing in Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Pole Bending, trick riding, junior competitions, and more.
Tickets are on sale now: Adults $39, Youth (6-12 years) $20, Children (5 years and under) $5. All proceeds will go to support local charities and causes.
There will be free activities for kids and families, too. The Town will hold its annual Hootenanny Fall Festival at the same time, at the same location (1888 Klondike Park Road), offering residents and visitors free options and opportunities to join in the fall fun.
Here’s what you can expect to see and experience – free – at this year’s Mayor’s Charity RAM Rodeo and Hootenany Fall Festival:
- Mechanical bull • Inflatable maze • Double axe throwing • Hover ball archery, and other games
- Fun house slide and obstacle course • Hayrides
Georgian Bay Cycle For Hope Fundraiser Growing to Meet Growing Demand for Local Cancer Support
By GBGH, July 17, 2025
The Georgian Bay Cycle for Hope (presented by For Sale on Georgian Bay), a one-day fundraiser in support of the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre (GBCSC), continues to grow to match the growing demand for local cancer support. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, August 16 in Penetanguishene and Collingwood.
“The Georgian Bay Cycle for Hope is more than just a bike ride — it’s a celebration of the world-class cycling we’re lucky to enjoy right here at home, and a powerful tribute to the strength of community,” says GBCSC Executive Director Dylan Lalande.
The annual fundraiser, now in its 14th year, has raised close to $700,000 to help support people living with cancer, their families, and caregivers in North Simcoe, South Georgian Bay, and surrounding communities. The event features amazing, picturesque cycle routes along or near Georgian Bay. Riders have a choice of five routes ranging from 4 km to 110 km from the Penetanguishene event site at the Rotary Champlin Wendat Park. The 2025 edition will also include four cycle routes on the other side of the bay in Collingwood with four routes to suit all levels of riders.
“This year, we’re thrilled to expand that sense of community to Collingwood and the rest of the Southern Georgian Bay region. With the opening of our second Home for Hope in Collingwood, we’re proud to bring the Cycle for Hope to a new corner of our community — helping to grow our impact, raise awareness, and bring even more people into the ride for hope,” adds Lalande.
A new Unity Route of 145 km offers cyclists a challenging ride that runs between Penetanguishene and Collingwood. As always, there’s something for everyone including the All Ages, All Abilities Ice Cream Route perfect for families and those who want an enjoyable, fun outing to help a great cause.
A new addition at the Penetanguishene site is the Après Vélo Festival, hosted by the Town of Penetanguishene. The FREE family-friendly fun festival, adjacent the main Cycle For Hope site, features live music from Tyler French, facepainting, an obstacle course, and lots of other activities and much more for all ages 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cyclists interested in participating as an individual or part of a team can do so by going online to gbcycleforhope.ca. There is no minimum fundraising requirement, but participants are encouraged to collect pledges for their ride in support of the GBCSC.
The annual fundraiser over the past decade has raised close to $700,000 to help support people living with cancer, their families, and caregivers in North Simcoe, South Georgian Bay, and surrounding communities.
A special thanks to other lead sponsors of the 2025 Cycle For Hope: Deluxe (Green Jersey Sponsor): Swing By, Den Bosch & Finchley, Tom Smith Chevrolet Buick GMC, Rotary Club of Midland, Collingwood Optometry (White Jersey Sponsors), as well as many other sponsors and community supporters.
For more information about the Georgian Bay Cycle for Hope and how to support the fundraiser, go to gbcycleforhope.ca.