 By Staff
June 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Bill Reid, Ontario Citizen of the year for 2016 He is heard at the Appleby Go station each Remembrance Day – singing.
For Bill Reid this is a duty he feels he has to those who fought in the World Wars.
Earlier this week, the province recognized Bill as the Senior of the Year for 2016 and, as expected Bill not only sang but did a rendition of “In Flanders Fields” before a decent audience at the annual tea that Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon held at the Centennial Library.
Bill, born in Halifax, served in the Army during the second world war in Belgium. “I never fired a shot in anger” he told his audience.
During the golf season Bill makes it a point to get in 9 holes as often as he can – he made no mention of what his par is.
 Bill Reid with his three daughters, a granddaughter, his wife and a son in law. Bill was there with his wife of 60 years and his three daughters along with one of his granddaughters. When MPP McMahon announced that the day was also the sixtieth wedding anniversary Bill’s wife said she wanted a recount.
It was that kind of event – an occasion to honour and recognize someone who had served his country and continues to serve his community.
 By Pepper Parr
June 8th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a decidedly different approach to fund raising – one that follow the “who you know” rule.
Trevor Copp put on a wonderful production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Royal Botanical Gardens last summer.
It was the most enterprising event in last summer’s cultural event season.
Like anything to do with culture – there was money to be raised.
 Midsummer at the RBG Copp explains: “We are trying to raise money to make our summer production of ‘The Merchant of Venice’ happen.”
“Wait” he cautions – “don’t glaze over yet: we aren’t asking for money. We are asking for names. We have this whole corporate campaign on the go – great acknowledgement for these great businesses to the thousands who come out this summer.
“We have the charity status. We have the great cause. We have the list of key corporations to approach. We just don’t know who exactly to connect to – and that’s the key. So: do you know decision makers from this list you could introduce us to?
 Trevor Copp, founder of Tottering Biped Theatre wants as much contact information from you as possible. 1. Banks: TD, RBC, CIBC, Scotiabank
2. Tim Hortons
3. Pizza Pizza
4.Burlington Hyundai
5. Lexus of Oakville
6. Theatre Aquarius
7. Downtown Hamilton
8. Burlington Downtown
9. Schlegel Villages
10. ArcelorMittal
11. Investors Group
12. Hamilton Cleaners
13. Stresscrete Group
14. Effort Trust
15. Budds’ BMW Hamilton
16. Turkstra Lumber Hamilton
17. Burlington Hydro
Roll out your Rolodex and see who you know – and pass the names and the contact detail to Copp. He will be eternally grateful.
The production last year overcame one difficulty after another – but the show usually went on – and it was a production worth seeing.
This summer – at the RBG – outdoors – in August.
 By Staff
June 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It looks like it is going to be that kind of a season – rain delays which will play pure havoc with the schedule.
Doesn’t appear to be having an impact on the Burlington HERD – still 0 for 7
 This is looking like a season that will see ha;f the schedule rained out! The Herd was going to visit Kitchener but that got rained out
All games have yet to be rescheduled.
Future games:
Tuesday, June 6
Burlington at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 8
Guelph at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Standings
London Majors 7-0
Barrie Baycats 6-0
Kitchener Panthers 5-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3
Brantford Red Sox 2-5
Hamilton Cardinals 1-4
Guelph Royals 1-6
Burlington Herd 0-7
 By Staff
June 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer Road Closures – Saturday, June 10, 2017
The 10th annual Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer bike race will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2017.
 This is the Quebec crowd during the 5th Annual Ride to Conquer Cancer – expect a smaller crowd in Burlington on the 10th of June. The following road closures will be in place:
• Millar Crescent will be closed to traffic between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.. Local resident access only.
The following lane closures will be in place:
• Cyclists will travel in the dedicated lane while vehicular traffic will be allowed to travel one way in the opposite direction along the event route.
Emergency services access will be maintained at all times along the event route.
 By Staff
June 6, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The next BurlingtonGreen event is a film presentation on Bikes versus card – a must see movie for the Gazette commentators who regular toss barbed comments at each other.
Wednesday, June 7th – a look at both the struggle for bicyclists in a society dominated by cars, and the revolutionary changes that could take place if more cities moved away from car-centric models.
Wednesday, at 6:30 pm – Central Library, 2331 New Street, Burlington
$5 admission (free for BG members).
Following the film, there will be time for audience discussion about the challenges and opportunities for cycling in Burlington with our event guests from the Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee.
Click here to see the film trailer.
 By Staff
June 4, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A Toronto Maple Leaf baseball player pulled off a three-run home run that capped a five-run ninth inning for the Leafs, who defeated the Burlington Herd 8-2 Saturday afternoon at Nelson Park.
 For Burlington, Carlos Villoria went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Kevin Hussey drove in a run, and Canice Ejoh had two singles, two runs and two steals. Burlington swiped five bases in total.
Four errors hurt the Herd, as only two of the eight runs allowed were earned.
Starting pitcher Rich Corrente (0-1) gave up three runs (one earned) in seven innings, scattering three hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Herd dropped to 0-7.
Future games:
Sunday, June 4
Burlington at Kitchener, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6
Burlington at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Standings
London Majors 7-0
Barrie Baycats 6-0
Kitchener Panthers 5-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3
Brantford Red Sox 2-5
Hamilton Cardinals 1-4
Guelph Royals 1-6
Burlington Herd 0-7
By Staff
June 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday – It was as perfect as it was going to get – different people enjoyed the day in different ways.
 Spencer Smith Park seemed close to empty – resting up for the thousands that will fill the park for the Sound of Music. Spencer Smith Park was close to abandoned except for those with children who enjoyed the joys of a splash pad.
 The Splash Pad in the Park had a consistent flow of visitors both young and older – pets as well A couple used the Discovery Centre as the local for their wedding while other
 A couple chose this wonderful June Saturday to marry – using the Discovery Centre as the local.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Just ducky!
An Ontario government grant of about $120,000 that is going toward a giant rubber duck for Canada 150 celebrations is ruffling some feathers.
 A six storey tall rubber duck with selfie appeal. Will we see it in Burlington Bay. It will be a huge draw. The six-storey-tall, 13,600-kilogram yellow duck is being brought to Toronto by the Redpath Waterfront Festival, at a total cost of $200,000, combining other funding such as corporate sponsorship.
It’s being billed as a tourist attraction — with particular Instagram and selfie appeal — and will also be taken to other communities in Ontario.
Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Eleanor McMahon said the province has been funding the waterfront festival for the past three years and it does a good job promoting tourism.
 Burlington MPP and Minister of Tourism and Sport defends the rental of a rubber duck to celebrate our 150th birthday – what would Sir John A. have to say about that idea? “This year they’ve decided to add a duck to the equation,” she said. “I think it’s an important contribution to our 150th celebrations. It’s just another example of the fun that people are going to have this summer.”
Lea Parrell, the co-producer of the waterfront festival, said it’s hoped the duck will have a positive effect on tourism.
The $200,000 cost includes renting the duck from a man in the United States who owns it, transporting it, inflating it, using a crane to lift it onto a barge, towing the barge, bringing it to other Ontario communities, marketing, and on-site support such as portable toilets and extra fencing so people don’t fall in the water, Parrell said.
The giant rubber duck is based on similar floating structures by a Dutch artist that have travelled world, Parrell said.
No word yet on whether the duck will be seen floating at the end of the Pier sometime during the summer. Selfies galore.
By Ken Pagan
May 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Justin Gideon is staying positive and, with a touch more confidence in his game, the results are showing on the field.
The Burlington Herd leadoff hitter, fresh off being named the IBL Batter of the Week, continued pumping out the hits on Saturday, mashing a long home run to centre-field as part of a 3-for-5 day in an 8-7 loss to the Brantford Red Sox.
Gideon, who turns 22 next month, is fourth in the IBL with a .478 batting average after six games, and leads the league with 11 hits and four doubles. His nine runs scored are second-most in the IBL.
 Justin Gideon, IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21 swings for the win-less Burlington Herd “I’m feeling more confident,” said Gideon, now in his third season with Burlington’s IBL squad. “As a rookie, sometimes you’re kind of hoping for hits, but when things are going well, you’re expecting to get hits and that makes a huge difference. I think that positive attitude really helps.”
He was named IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21, after going 7-for-9, which included a monster 5-for-5 game in a 14-12 home loss to the Barrie Baycats.
“I haven’t changed too much with my approach, just some subtle things,” he said. “On the mental side, I feel like I’m playing with a lot more confidence, especially with being a leader on the team. I think you have to have that confidence regardless of how you’re doing.
“You have to take things one at-bat at a time. You can’t look at your day and see that you’re 0-for-2 and be scared to go 0-for-3. You have to look at the next at-bat and try to get a hit. You have to have a short memory.”
Gideon has played four seasons of OUA baseball at Brock University, where he has thrived, twice being named Brock’s MVP and earning OUA Top Hitter accolades. He was second in the OUA with a.469 batting average and two homers in 64 at-bats in 2014 and followed with a .422 average and three homers and a league-leading 30 runs scored in 2015.
 But things came untracked in the 2016 fall season, when his average fell below .200
“It was just a combination of things,” he said. “I try not to make excuses, but it was just a slump I couldn’t get out of. It’s a lot shorter season and there are not as many at-bats (to come out of it), so it was just tough.”
However, he is making the most of a shot at redemption to get things back on track with the Herd this season. As the team’s table-setter and centre-fielder, he wants to continue setting high standards on the field.
“I want to bring a sense of leadership and try to keep a positive attitude among the guys and perform well every game,” he said. “ Even if I’m not performing offensively, I want to bring it defensively and just always be hustling and play with the same intensity every game.”
By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will kick off the summer event season at its annual Kite Festival on Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 Next Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rain or shine Residents are invited to join in the fun, explore their creativity and build a kite for free, while supplies last. Supplies are generously donated by Canadian Tire. Event attendees will fly their kites in the open space at Brant Hills Park all day to help fill the sky with colour.
The Kite Festival is a family-friendly event presented by the Rocca Sisters & Associates, with a variety of vendors and entertainment. Fun activities include face painting, balloon animals and a Canada 150 chain link activity.
The festival will take place rain or shine. Brant Hills Community Centre is located at 2255 Brant St. and Brant Hills Park is located at 2300 Duncaster Dr.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It took the Brantford Red Sox five games to pick up their first win of the season, and it came against another win less team – the Burlington Herd who have gone six games without a win.
Dan Jagdeo’s solo home run with one out in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Red Sox to an 8-7 victory over the Burlington Herd Saturday afternoon.
Brantford is 1-4, and Burlington is 0-6.
Ricky Murray had three hits and drove in a run and scored once for the Red Sox. Chris Dennis and Nic Burdett each had an RBI and run, while Benjamin Bostick singled twice, scored twice and had an RBI.
Brandon Dailey had two hits and two runs, and Cody Mombourquette drove in a pair.
Tyler Soucie (1-0) earned the win, giving up a run in one inning of relief. He walked one and struck out one. Tanner Guindon tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for his first save.
Starter Justin DAmato went 3.2 innings and allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
For Burlington, Justin Gideon went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while Canice Ejoh also had three hits, two RBI and a run. Cooper Lamb had two RBI, and Grant Okawa had two hits and scored twice.
Kyle Symington (0-1) took the loss, giving up a run on two hits in an inning. He struck out one.
Starter Brad Smith gave up six runs (four earned) on seven hits in three innings. He walked three and struck out one.
 By Pepper Parr
May 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite having to make close to last minute changes to the venue – forgetting about a performance under canvas and moving to inside a church hall, the 3rd Annual Lowville Festival pulled it off.
The “The hall at St. George’s was packed to the rafters Friday night” and with Liona Boyd on the playbill little wonder.
Saturday night:The Second City Comedy Troupe doing their Canada: The Thinking Man’s America is going to sell out. If you want to try and get a ticket – call BobMissen at 289-260-1109
Sunday, May 28; 2pm – St. Georges Anglican Church – Motus O Dance Theatre will be doing “Alice”; the production is a decidedly delightful look at a classic.
 Alice in Wonderland characters with such energy and excitement – they leave audiences breathless. Rich in athleticism and innovative dance and theatre, ALICE is an exhilarating adventure that spins you off into another land. ALICE is an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s whimsical stories, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through The Looking Glass”. In her search for home, Alice must maneuver herself through this topsy – turvy world. ALICE is a one hour show that brings to life all your favourite characters with such energy and excitement that the audience is left breathless. Part Dance Part Theatre Part Triathlon.
While not intended as a performance for children – the production will widen the eyes of those from 12 to 80.
Growing the business:
The Lowville Festival organizers held their events during the first two years inside church halls and decided they were ready to outgrow those spaces. They were leaving behind some fine performances and wonderful memories but they needed more space.
Lowville Park was a beautiful location but there wasn’t a building they could hold events in. They got creative and decided a large tent – the kind of think travelling circuses used to use – would draw audiences and also add some charm and adventure to an event. The Festival was going to go under canvas.
 The tent was a great idea – but the grounds were too soggy after several days of rain. A venue change was needed. The tent would keep any rain out – but the rain we have experienced this month left the grounds in the park soggy and soaked with water. It just wasn’t going to work.
The Festival organizers had to make changes – and they had to move very quickly which took them back to those tried and true church halls.
Second City this evening; Alice Sunday afternoon – both well worth the price of the tickets – if you can get one.
Saturday, May 27; 1pm to 4pm – Lowville United Church – Free Event!
Sights and Sounds in the Escarpment in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Burlington
Sponsored by: Ontario Trillium Foundation
 By Staff
May 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The city thinks they are unsafe —high water levels – decided to close the following areas:
 Tuck Creek bike path. Informal paths along Tuck Creek from Regal Road to Tuck Park
The floating public docks and pedestrian ramps at the LaSalle Park Marina boat launch
The pedestrian bridge at the waterfront trail is also closed (at LaSalle Park)
The beach at Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park—the Beachway (closed May 17, 2017)
Recent rains have damaged the banks of Tuck Creek below Regal Road, making the informal trails very dangerous to any pedestrian or cyclist.
 LaSalle Park boat ramp High water has also created unsafe conditions at the public boat launch and the pedestrian bridge leading to the LaSalle Park breakwater. The floating docks and pedestrian ramps will be removed early next week until the lake level recedes. The public launch will remain open at this time.
 Bridge at LaSalle Park almost washed out. Residents are warned to stay away from the noted creek block and park areas until the repairs have been made and exercise caution at our waterfront parks during this period of record high lake levels.
 By Pepper Parr
May 26th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Town Crier David Vollick gets the announcement meeting off to a good start. For $4.5 million – he really rang that bell. The cheque was just short of $4.5 million but the happy faces at the Joseph Brant Museum this morning were not quibbling.
 Barbara Teatero, Executive Director Museums of Burlington A project that started 22 years ago when the first report was produced and became the life work of Barbara Teatero was made real with the federal government announcement that the renovation – rebuild of the Museum is now funded.
It is going to cost considerably more than $4,479,000 to do all the work that is planned but without the federal money the project was never going to break ground.
 John Doyle  Larry Waldren John Doyle and Larry Waldron wore smiles that came close to lighting up the room that had 40+ people crammed into it while Town Crier Dave Vollick rang his bell and proclaimed the way only Vollick can proclaim that the museum was going to go through a significant change.
Construction schedules are being worked out – tenders will have to be let and scheduling completed.
Allan Magi had to tell city council a number of months ago that he was faced with a very challenging problem – organizing the construction without knowing for certain that the money was in the bank.
The Capital Works department will now be able assemble the internal team and begin with a project that will add another cultural destination for people who choose to visit Burlington.
 Architect’s rendering of what the new Joseph Brant Museum could look like when it opens. The new museum will have triple the space of the existing facility; the hope is that the space will be able to attract top tier travelling exhibits to the city.
While the politicians were doing what they do with words Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven cast a glance toward Doyle and raised an eyebrow and tipped his head – they had pulled it off.
 Those waters were the view that Joseph Brant had each morning when he stepped out of his house that was on what he described as Burlington Bay. That path in the middle of the picture was once a two track railway line into the town. It was a big day – it will take a couple of years to get to the Opening Day – and a fitting one for Joseph Brant who made Burlington his home for the last years of his life.
What will he think when the new Museum is opened?
 By Pepper Parr
May 26, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Weather, weather, weather.
The rain has thrown the Lowville Festival plans into a tizzy.
In the tradition of theatre – the show must go on and it will.
The plans for doing The Second City Comedy Troupe’s production of Canada: The Thinking Man’s America and Alice in Wonderland have had to be changed
 St Georges Anglican Church is at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road. The performances scheduled for the Festival tent in Lowville Park will now take place in St. George’s Church Hall at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road.
The affected performances are:
• The Second City Comedy Troupe’s production of Canada: The Thinking Man’s America at 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 27; and
• ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Motus O Dance/Theatre Company at 2 pm on Sunday, May 28 – Fun for the family!
St. George’s Hall has been a venue for festival events since 2015. Liona Boyd and the Lowville Festival Choir perform there on Friday evening, May 26, at 7:30 pm. The Hall will be dry and the indoor space will add a feeling of intimacy to the performances.
Show schedule:
Friday, May 26; 7:30 pm – St. George’s Parish Hall
To Canada with Love: Celebrating Canada 150, featuring Liona Boyd and the Lowville Festival Choir
Saturday, May 27; 1pm to 4pm – Lowville United Church
Free Event!
Sights and Sounds in the Escarpment in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Burlington
Sponsored by: Ontario Trillium Foundation
Saturday May 27th – 7:30pm; St. George’s Parish Hall
Second City Comedy Troupe: – Canada: The Thinking Man’s America
Sunday, May 28; 2pm – St. George’s Parish Hall
Motus O Dance Theatre’s Alice.
St. George’s Church Hall at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road.
Representatives of the Festival will be at Lowville Park to re-direct anyone who is not aware of the change.
For information, please call: Bob Missen 289-260-1109
By Staff
May 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Yo!
 We wanted to let you know that the ticket price for Sound of Music June 10 Kick-Off Concert is going up on May 29.
Time to purchase if you haven’t already!
Spread the word and let your friends know that seven bands for $60 (plus fee and tax) can’t be beat.
Gates open at 1:00 pm.
Quick peak promo
By Staff
May 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON. ON
This sounds like fun.
Art, the City + You: a pop-up art project in Spencer Smith Park
The pop-up art project is the way the city is asking Burlington residents to re-imagine the park as a place of art and creativity in the city.
 Pop Up Art project will take place in Spencer Smith Park near the play area. Children and adults can join the play-space and add to a collaborative structure that will grow throughout the day.
It takes place in Spencer Smith Park, Saturday, June 3, 2017, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What you will see at 4:00 pm will be a lot different than what is seen at 11:00 am – the idea is to build on the ideas that are there when you arrive
Location: Spencer Smith Park, near the playground equipment
 Lisa Hirmer – to lead residents in a Pop Up art project in Spencer Smith Park. Rain date will be Sunday, June 4, 2017.
The Pop-Up is being run by Lisa Hirmer, an interdisciplinary artist who has created publicly engaged projects across the world, including Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Nuit Blanche (Toronto).
By Staff
May 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington HERD game will not take place this evening.
 The Intercounty Baseball League announced today that the three scheduled contests for Thursday, May 25 have been rained out.
Burlington was to host Hamilton at 7:15 p.m
No make-up dates have been announced.
 By Staff
May 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 The picture that is worth 1000 words. All natural grass sport fields (diamonds and rectangular fields) are closed Thursday May 25./
Too much rain has resulted in very soggy playing fields.
 By Staff
May 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There will be something in the way of a lasting memory of the graceful, natural looking Gazebo that once rested in a small dip of land at the beginning of the Naval Promenade in Spence Smith Park.
 A view of Burlington that is no more – two majestic willow trees were cut down and the gazebo razed for something more accessible. The two willow trees that were planted there more than seventy years ago by the man who the park was eventually named after were deemed to be unsafe and were cut down in 2016.
All was not lost – several hundred saplings were taken and the thick tree trunks were cut into smaller pieces, planed and then kiln dried and are now ready for use by people who like and know how to work with wood.
Starting in June, the city will offer wood chunks for creating artwork and for souvenirs, saplings for planting and wood boards to be finished into furniture or art objects.
Saplings: The city grew more than 200 cuttings from the willow trees in a greenhouse this past fall and winter. The young trees will be ready in early June for people who are interested in growing a piece of history on their own properties. Weeping willows are very large trees and don’t suit everyone’s property and preferences. Please carefully follow the city’s instructions on where and how to plant them.
A limited number of saplings is available at:
Branches of Burlington Public Library, starting June 6
Ireland House Museum, starting June 6
Lions Park, 471 Pearl St., June 9 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. during Chat and Chew in Ward 2
 Trunks of the weeping willow trees taken out of Spencer Smith Park are cut to plank length sizes, planed and then kiln dried. wood will be available in June. Wood chunks: Great for artwork or small pieces of furniture, wood chunks are available for pickup in the parking lot of the Burlington Lions Club at 471 Pearl St. from June 9 at 5 p.m. until June 11 at 5 p.m.
Wood boards: Local companies Arborwood Tree Service Inc. and Exotic Woods donated their services to prepare wood from the willow trees for future use. They planed, milled and then kiln-dried the wood from six large logs to make boards that can form a table, chairs or other furniture.
More information will soon be available about how to apply for those pieces of wood.
Tribute in Spencer Smith Park: The city is working with Halton Region to plan a lasting tribute to the willow trees in Spencer Smith Park. Stay tuned for more details.
For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/willowtrees. For questions about the wood, please email communications@burlington.ca.
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