 By Pepper Parr
September 17th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Community Foundation presented its Vital Statistics report Tuesday morning to a room at the Art Gallery that was well attended.
 The usual mention of the MP and the Mayor were made and then a panel discussion that included Joann Battaglis of First Ontario Credit Union; Garner Becket with the Conservation Halton Foundation, Christina Mulder, Director Burlington Food Bank and Catherine Villasenor of Home Suite Home. took place.
The most authentic panellist was Mulder, who was really blunt when she pointed out that the current rate of customer growth at the Food Bank is not sustainable.
In 2019 the Foodbank served 1985 people – in 2022 they served 3517. Since then, growth has exceeded 34% annually.
The panel was followed by having the people at the 15 or so tables in the room discuss what they had heard from the panel. The word “intersectionality” popped up a number of times – that one didn’t resonate with me.
The actual report was never presented – except for one page that gave grades (A, B, C or D) to different subjects that were mentioned in the report that was available online.
The data was solid, the people who did some of the research were more than credible. The number of responders to the survey work was on the low side – in the 250 range.
There were people in the room from various organizations that had well grounded understandings of what the issues were and the size of the challenges the city faces who didn’t get much in the way of an opportunity to speak to the room. Unfortunate.
The date and the range of people that were interviewed:
By Gazette Staff
September 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The library has come up with a neat way to get younger people into the New Appleby Line branch. They have come up with a bingo card.
Fill it in and take it to the library when you pay your first visit.
By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The New Appleby Line branch of the Burlington Library system is officially open.
 First person to enter the new library – greeted by James Dekens, Manager Neighborhood Branches  First child to return books.  First person to use a monitor. The first thing that strikes you when you walk through the doors is all the space.
It’s also very bright – lots of natural light seeps in.
The library and the classrooms on the second level are the only part of the Bateman Community Centre that are operating.
The project is one of those developments that limped its way to completion. It was a Tom Commisso idea that had difficulty – almost from day one.
But this story is not about Bateman – it is about the library and the leadership that got it to the point where a truly splendid library is now operating.
 This was Lita Barrie’s day. She and the team she led had much to be proud of.
Lita Barrie has headed up the library for six years now. She came to Burlington from Hamilton, and as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), she pulled together a very strong team.
It is beyond a doubt in my mind that the library system is the best there is in the city operationally.
They continually come up with new ideas; existing programs are upgraded, and excellent use is made of technology.
The Maker Studio in several branches of the library took a little time to catch on; the technology that is employed with the “aquarium” in the New Appleby Branch will delight the children.
Barrie brought some very strong technology credentials with her when she came on Board as the CAO
When people first walk through the 16,000 sq. ft. of space, they have a sense of Wow!
 The amount of space – 16,000 sq. ft., and all the natural light. will please many.  Meeting places are all over the 16,000 sq. ft library.  The ‘aquarium’, not yet fully operational, is set up so that when children draw a picture of a fish, it will appear on the screen. The library makes extensive use of technology.  One of two fully equipped media rooms.  Just inside the front doors of the library there are three daily newspapers. A few feet away there is a small meeting room. Two of the early arrivals, a couple, set themselves up in the Meeting room – each reading a newspaper.  Bare at the moment – the room will be where young children are gathered for story telling.  The hoarding behind Councillor Sharman will be in place for a while yet. The portion of the Bateman Community Centre that will include Tech Place is not complete – may not be for some time. No mention of a coffee shop so far.
 By Gazette Staff
September 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Get ready!
Culture Days 2025 runs from September 19 to October 12.
Join the celebration of creativity with thousands of free arts, culture and heritage events happening across the country—with more being added daily.
 Saturday October 4 and Sunday October 5 at Royal Botanical Gardens – Hendrie Park, Burlington, Ontario. FREE FAMILY FUN for everyone from tots to teens. This year’s Culture Days runs from Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 12. Don’t miss your chance to join Burlington artists, cultural groups and creative organizations for free, interactive events and activities across the city. Discover hands-on workshops and live performances, author talks, music and meditation at the Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Public Library, Museums of Burlington and Tourism Burlington.
Culture Day Highlights
Tourism Burlington’s Culture Crawl — This choose-your-own-adventure tour features signature arts and heritage experiences.
Click HERE for details.
The website isn’t the easiest to navigate – the list of events with specific times and locations is there – it just takes a pit of effort to find it all
 Ireland House Museum for our Heritage Fibre Fest! Explore the rich world of fibre arts, showcasing techniques and traditions that would have been popular among the Ireland family—and still are today! The event will feature live demonstrations in the historic house and a market offering a variety of fibre art-related products. There will also be a children’s activity station, where kids can make their own spool knitting and weaving creations. Admission is pay-what-you-may. The more you participate, the more points you can earn points to redeem for exclusive local swag.
Public Art Walk, Waterfront Trail at Beachway Park – This self-guided tour showcases the visual and written works of 20 Burlington artists and writers. It’s a creative and accessible way to experience Burlington’s thriving cultural community beside Lake Ontario.
Culture Days is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a national network of cultural connections. It provides Canadians with opportunities to participate in, and appreciate, all forms of art and culture. Culture Days promotes free, interactive activities and events for the public. The festival welcomes participants to create, share and celebrate a life enriched by arts and culture.
By Gazette Staff
September 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 If you want to be a better dancer, this is an event to take part in danceScape is inviting the Burlington community to its Fall Open House, offering free, beginner-friendly dance lessons for all ages and experience levels. The event takes place at their studio on 2077 Pine Street, Monday, September 15, and Thursday, September 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Participants can explore a variety of dance styles, including Ballroom (Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive/Swing), Salsa and Latin Club (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata), danceTONE (high-energy cardio), danceFLOW (gentle Tai Chi/Qigong-inspired movement), and Wedding Dance tips. No partner or prior experience is required.
Guests will enjoy free sample lessons, light refreshments, friendly instructors, and a welcoming, zero-pressure environment. The Open House also provides a preview of danceScape’s Fall 2025 group classes, beginning September 22.
Pre-registration is required, and VIP passes can be reserved. Click HERE
 By Gazette Staff
September 7th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Edited for clarity and condensed for length
Finally, something from Sound of Music (SoM) on where they are, what they are up against and what they are trying to do.
Stay alive would be the best way to put it.
 Joel Macleod Joel Macleod was in conversation with Brent Kinnaird, the Executive Director of the festival on a podcast
MacLeod (JK) asked: Is there a chance the festival could transforms into a paid event to offset those costs? Or is the determination we are keeping it free, come hell or high water? What is going to happen? What are the possibilities down the road?
Brent Kinnaird (BK) “So first and foremost, the goal is to keep it free, absolutely. The reality is that it may not be possible. Could there be a paid component, or could it turn into a ticketed or paid event? That’s one of the things that we’re looking at – absolutely – yes.
“Do we alter how we present it in some way? And that means, you know, does it stay as a four-day event, or do we go from three stages down to two or on and on and on. Anything is on the table right now is the honest answer, and is the reality, you know, but ultimately, what we would love is to keep this festival free in its current format, because that’s where the magic has been, and that’s where the biggest impact has been.”
MacLeod calls it an institution.
 Brent Kinnaird, the Executive Director Sound of Music BK: “Thank you. for calling The Sound of Music an institution. Because, you know, it really is.
“The Sound of Music Festival is Canada’s largest free music festival since 1980 – 45 years in the city of Burlington. We basically build a small city within the city, in Spencer Smith park for a week, and we preside over that city. And how do we preside over it? We have music, we have midway rides, we have vendors, we have food trucks, we have activities for the kids. We have sampling activations and, oh yeah, by the way, there’s some pretty good music too. So it is, it’s a beast. It’s a labor of love. You can’t imagine it unless you’ve been to it.
“Unfortunately, the reason we’re having this conversation, is the festival is in dire straits. And I’m wondering if you can maybe elaborate a bit on that, because this isn’t a new this is really a new a new state of affairs. This kind of has been coming for a while, if I’m not mistaken.
BK: This will come as no surprise to anyone – to continue to sustain an event of our size and scale and continue to offer it for free, which is absolutely the mandate. This is, a barrier free event.. This is families. This is everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy and and you know, there should be no barrier to enjoying a community event, enjoying live music, enjoying an experience like this with your with your family.
“We have incredible support from all three levels of government. You know, the piece that we’re missing is this: it is getting increasingly more expensive every year.
“Government grant funding is on the decline. Sponsorship sales are becoming increasingly more challenging. There’s a lot of competition from other events. We have a couple of great beer gardens. We have a VIP area that does pretty well. Unfortunately it is not enough. The reality of the situation is the sound of music costs in excess of a million dollars to put on every year, and finding the revenues to balance that out has been a challenge that is, is not new.”
BK: “ But we continue to make it do and make it work every year, but we’re reaching that breaking point, and that breaking point to sustain what we do on the size and scale that we do it and keep it free and accessible for everyone is now, frankly, a near impossibility.”
 The Arkells: Appeared at Sound of Music when they were just beginning. JK: “I can remember the attractions that you’re bringing into the band, so that you’re bringing in. I remember seeing like the Arkells just before they kind of rested and became the Arkells. But I remember seeing them and, you know, the whole town boys, finger 11 will come back, and they’ll play every now and again, like you’re not, you’re not getting Nick No Name acts like, these are these, are these are real acts. These are artists.”
“How do you do it? How do you scope out those acts, kind of on the cusp of greatness, reach out to them and then, because I figured they’re not going to play for free, they’re not going to, you know, they’re not, no matter how charming you might be.”
BK: A very big part of the mandate of sound and music is promoting local and emerging artists and providing a stage the size and scale of ours; providing a professional production and stage crew, and taking a band who’s here and ready for their career to take the next step. And we help them do that. I want to underline, we help them. We’re not responsible for, you know, the Arkells, being, the sensation that they are, or finger 11, or Walk off the Earth. We’ve played a part in that. We have had a role to play in propelling artists to the next level of their career, and we continue to do that with our Battle of the Bands competition, our local stage with our partner, our current presenting sponsor is the Burlington Performing Arts Center. But back to your overall question about, you know, how we go about this? There’s some interesting little nuances in in the business.
“There’s terminology, you know, use, like routing and radiuses and other clauses and that sort of thing. And what all of this means is, you know, it’s a negotiation, what bands are available, what bands are touring, what bands might be routing, coming, you know, through the area in southern Ontario, maybe playing a show in Oshawa or Toronto or up in London. And, you know, is there an opportunity to stitch some things together and have them make one of their stops along the way at sound and music? So we start by sort of looking, you know, at who’s out there, who might be on the road, who might be putting a tour together. Maybe there are some dates in our area that have already been announced, and is there an opportunity to get them to make a stop here we also look at, you know, making sure that we continue to diversify the lineup in genre and in every other way, and so we sort of start with headliners.
 Here’s our wish list, here’s who we’d love to get, here’s who’s available and is a real possibility. And once we get those headliners locked in, then we start to build the lineup, you know, down from there. And we love the theme nights too. You know, having some retro 80s stuff is super fun. Having classic rock, of course, you know, great stuff that the 90s, alt, some country in there as well.”
“What else responsibly should we be looking at – what’s important, to make sure that there’s something for everyone? So, you know, jazz and blues and roots and folk. You know, we haven’t done a lot of those genres, but we’re slowly working our way into rounding out the lineup with, some more of that, so long winded answer, I apologize, but you know, it really, really does start with kind of who’s a good fit, who’s available, right? Who do we think? And then, you know, the pieces start to come together. And about how far in advance are you doing this, live, this leg work.
“We’ll start, usually in September, October, with some initial conversations around, you know, what our vision is, and start doing some of that research, you know, on some of the things that I mentioned. And then usually by around Christmas time, we’ve got some early pieces. And usually the top end of the lineup is starting to take shape from there.”
JK: “What’s the state of the festival right now? Then, as you’re seeing it coming off the most recent one? Well, you know, I go from smiling and talking about happy stuff and here, you know, here comes the doom and gloom.
BK: “You know, the reality is, it’s been a bit of a slow burn over the last few years, with resources starting to to dwindle a little at a time, and up against, you know, post covid era and the rising costs of of everything. This is not a new problem. It’s been something that we’ve seen coming. It’s been something that we’ve tried to stave off, you know, as best as we could over the last, you know, few years. But the reality is, you know, I, I hate to, you know, push the dramatic, but, you know, it’s, it’s the it’s the reality too, and that is, it is entirely possible that we may well have seen the last sound of music this past June. We are in a position, you know, right now today, where, unless we have an injection of support, it is very sadly, probably the end.”
“You know, most people who know know me associated with sound music know that. You know, it’s not just a job for me. It’s, it’s a it’s a passion. I love it more than anything, and it gets me very emotional because of that. I’m a crier. Joel, just so, you know, I might cry at some point in this space.
JK: I think there’s a there’s a sense of family, there’s a sense of purpose and determination to like, you know, this year has to outdo last year’s festival. And it was kind of refreshing to see me. You know, there’s a lot of cynicism out in the world. It was kind of nice to see a group of people that just know, I just want to have a party.
 She knows why she is there! In the press release that you sent out, you had mentioned, you know, the dwindling government funds coming in, both at the Ontario and federal levels. And I just want to talk with that because, I mean, I’ll try to start a pop but I did notice the notice goes out, and there seems to be a quick distancing on a part of the city. And I know at the federal level, I haven’t heard anything at the provincial level, just to say, Oh, well, we know we’re giving as much as we can. And that I was always puzzled by it says, How well, how much of the cuts back from from public arts grants and festival grants would be impacting into this decision to where we are now.
BK: Look, is it a factor. The fact of the matter is, government grant funding is on the decline. That is, that is an indisputable fact. It is happening. We are not the only event or festival. Others are echoing the same thing. So anyone who tells you that government grant funding for arts and culture and events like ours isn’t going down. They’re not telling the truth. That’s a fact.
We also know that we have a responsibility to sustain ourselves, and we have to find alternate sources of funding. And you know, none of this is saying a single disparaging word about any level of government that that has funded us and continues to fund us. That’s not what this conversation is about. That’s not what our press release was about. Never once did we say that we were not appreciative of the support that we’ve had. What we’re saying is the reality in today’s world of doing what we do, it’s not possible to do it at the current levels that we are being funded. It simply takes more it’s more expensive to run it than what it was last year and the year before and so on and so forth.
They have been amazing partners. They have supported us in many, many ways, and we have always been grateful for that. What we are saying is we’re at a place in time now, finally, where the tree limb is is cracked and it’s almost broken.
The levels of funding that we receive from all three levels of government covers a decent amount of our budget, but we need to find more resources and more funding. And we know if the government is maxed at, this is what they’re able to provide, or these are the funds that are out there, obviously there has to be caps, and, you know, ceilings on it. We all, we all get that. If that’s the case, where do we find the other resources that we need. We need to tell our story, and the story is our partners, our funders, our government agencies, all wonderful, but you put all of that together, it still is not enough to be up to be able to present the festival that we present, and everyone has has come to know and love. So we need to find more corporate sponsors. We need to find donors in the community that you know, believe in city building and believe in the arts and believe in tourism and putting Burlington on the map.
We have, we have a very strong story to tell of our economic impact. We bring visitors into the city. They spend money in hotels and B and B’s and restaurants and retail and on and on. So there’s, there’s absolute economic uplift and impact in the city that is significant from sound and music. And we have the data to show that we introduce people to the city visitors for the first time, we incentivize them to come back. So, you know, we’re helping the City of Burlington to be prosperous and be a city that people look to and want to come to, we absolutely make a positive contribution to that. And so what we’re saying is we need to find some additional resources and partners and support to help us continue to do what we’ve done, which is put on a great party.
JK: What is it that you’re asking of them? What is your offer on the table? So to speak to them, to say, Well, what did they get out of, you know, signing a big check over to you guys for next year’s festival. Yeah. So a great question.
BK: You know, we’ve never been a, you know, write us a check. We’ll slap your logo on a screen, and, you know, we’re done. We’ll call it a day. This is about building relationships. This is about cultivating partnerships that bring mutual value. So what we’re asking is people that believe in community, people that have a passion for music and for the arts, people that want to support artists, people that understand the value of bringing people together in an event like this, the power of music, the power of, you know, a community based event. As big as we are, we’re still, you know, a little community-based thing at heart. That’s what we are. And so, you know, all of those intangibles, you know, we want to kind of pull on the hearts and minds of folks and say, Yeah, this is important. We can’t lose this. This can’t die for all of that, all of those reasons, but you know, from a pure sponsor relationship perspective, you know what we can offer is incredible name recognition.
 How do you monetize crowds like this? We can offer the respect of this community people have come to know and love and respect sound and music. So do you want to be synonymous with something that has a great reputation, that has a storied history, that you know, brings people together, and if you want to, you know, talk just pure economics and dollars and cents, we can, we can put you as a sponsor, as a partner, in front of a huge audience, which is an opportunity that, if your goal is to build business. We have an audience for you that is probably bigger than any other audience you can find.
JK: Well, I do want to touch upon that because, you know, each year it seems to be numbers get to get put out after the event. You know, we brought in so many people.
What’s the running average that you would say it’s how many hundreds of 1000s of people you bring into the downtown core of Burlington for four days on Father’s Day weekend?
BK: “Our estimate, and we have, you know, some scientific data to back this up, not the least of which, we do some drone flying, and we can take pictures of the crowd and run it through a software program, and it basically estimates crowd size at a moment in time.
 The crowds are there. Asking them to pay a fee of $5. for the weekend. 5 x 250,00 people – do the math! “With that and some other tools, we estimate over the last three years, kind of the post covid festival years, something in the neighborhood of about 400,000 visits. I want to emphasize visits. It’s not 400,000 people, because you may have the same people that are coming back multiple days, maybe all four days so, but 400,000 visits.
“How does that translate? Well, this this past year, Saturday night, we had Big Wreck as a headliner on the main stage, and our crowd estimates are between 12 and 15,000 people just watching Big Wreck. That doesn’t include the West stage. Doesn’t include the people in the Midway – just Bih Wreeck on the Main stage – 12 to 15,000 people.
“We estimate that at the height of the festival, Friday, Saturday are the two, the two biggest days attendance wise, that when we have a jam packed Park, there’s, you know, something in the neighborhood of, at any one time, 50,000 people in the park. So, you know, if you want your brand to be in front of an audience, that is an audience that, you know, there’s a segment that’s, you know, reasonably affluent. There’s a lot of families, a lot of, you know, families with young children. The demographic targets that brands and companies are trying to reach – we have it. In the course of four days, you can be in front of 10s of 1000s of people, not to mention you’d have the PR credentials of being the savior of the SoM festival.”
BK: “I had someone pitching me with this idea. How would you like to contribute? X, and you will be known as you know, the company, or one of a handful of companies that saved a 45 year tradition.”
JM: My mind always goes back to the to the Arkells. The only reason why is, I remember hearing their album, kind of the first album on the radio a bit notice, just playing other the articles are playing out there. I’ll go down check him out, right? It’s a free concert. I’m not gonna I don’t lose anything. And like, the one or two songs I heard, and I come down, and I’m standing in the back just, you know, one of those 400,000 heads in the crowd, and I’m blown away, like these guys are put on a show. Before that they were doing like, clubs and and concert venues; they just, they blew me away. It was one of those things, like, I became a fan in that moment, like, I’m sitting there watching the show, and I was like, Okay, I’m on the bandwagon. Now I’m a fan, and I have been a fan ever since I am.
“That’s the kind of what you have a chance to salvage.”
 Hamilton Super Crawl Hamilton Super Crawl is similar in a way. It’s barrier free access to music on artists, you know, all weekend long. A different focus, a little bit different genres. And, you know, not necessarily the size and scale that we are from a concert perspective. The event has lots of different pieces, but, you know they’re, they’re kind of in spirit. You know they’re, they’re not, you know, all that unlike us in that way. But that aside, I think you’re right. If you talk about a, Pure Music Festival in the province of Ontario, there’s nothing like us, you know, you’ve got a blues Fest in Ottawa, which is much, much bigger than we are. And you know, they’re getting, you know, a list of headline artists, you know, Foo Fighters and Def Leppard and Motley Crue and you know, bands that are, you know, they’re not in the same, you know, level that we are. But you know, it’s also a paid event.
BK: ‘There’s some other great festivals around the province, Rock the Park in London, the River Fest and Elora. Great music festivals, great people. But there’s something about the spirit and the vibe of sound and music that I, you know, bias, yes, but I don’t, I don’t really think that there’s anything like it, and certainly not the history and the longevity that that we have.
 “The Arkells played very early in their career at Sound and Music. And this is the same kind of kind of thing, you know, that we’re doing we’ve done with some of these local bands we mentioned.”
BK: “Fast forward to this year. We did a Battle of the Bands competition. We’ve done that for several years. We had over 160 bands from Southern Ontario apply for for battle the bands. What does that tell you about the music scene in Ontario? It’s incredible, right?
 Black Paint, from Ajax. “The winner of the Battle of the Bands competition this year, got a spot on the Main stage at the festival on Saturday afternoon to open up the festival. So you talk about when you saw the Arkells then and where they are now. This incredible band, a trio. They’re called Black Paint, from Ajax. They win the battle of the bands, great guys, super duper unbelievable musicians. They’re actually playing in Hamilton. In a couple days, these guys arrive to load in.
 Big Wreck Big Wreck was headlining the show that night. These three young dudes from Black Paint who play, you know, bars around Toronto and Southern Ontario. They walk up on the main stage to load up their gear and get ready to play their show. And I can see in their eyes, they’re like, whoa. Like, this is big and for me, love Big Wreck, love all the bands we’ve had play. That’s the moment for me; this is why we do what we do.
JK: “I know what you’re talking about.”
 By Gazette Staff
September 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Stage Directions
October 4 & 5, 2025
Two days of strategy, connection, and skills-building for Hamilton theatre and performance makers.
“How can we all build a stronger, more sustainable Hamilton theatre community together?”
In 2014, attendees at the first Stage Directions Symposium gathered to address this question, and the work resulted in partnerships, projects, programming, and planning decisions that continue to positively impact the city’s art scene.
It’s time to re-open the discussion.
Do you want to play a part in shaping the future of theatre and performance-making in Hamilton? Join us for Stage Directions – The Symposium on Day One (Oct 4) and get involved in this vital conversation. Then come back for Day Two (Oct 5) with two incredible skills-building workshops and end the night with the return of The Monologue Slam!
Register Today
Registration Pricing
 DAY ONE | Saturday, October 4, 2025
The Symposium – $40 (includes pizza lunch)
DAY TWO | Sunday, October 5, 2025
From Seed to Story with Chantal Lim (Workshop) – $30
Stage Combat: Introduction to Swordplay (Workshop) – $30
The Monologue Slam (tickets and/or performer application fee) – $15
*Stage Directions All-Access Bundle – $92
Save $23 when you book for all four events!
*Stage Directions Day Two Bundle – $60
Save $15 when you book for all three Sunday events!
*Bundle discounts only apply if you register for multiple events in the same transaction. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively. Questions? Email info@HFTco.ca.
 By Gazette Staff
September 5th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has created a Burlington Local Participation Program
These are events or opportunities that are local in every sense of the word.
They are an addition to the MainStage and Community Stage events – and they are usually less expensive.
One of the events that come under the program is the Nutcracker Suite; a traditional event in the GTA – not sure about other parts of the province.
Nutcracker Youth Participant Program gives young dancers the opportunity to perform with a professional dance company. They will interact with professional dancers and gain invaluable performance experience as they dance roles in
Ballet Jörgens Dance: The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition
 Jörgen’s Ballet: Photo by Jim Orgill
Audition Registration is Open!
Saturday, September 27: 9:30am-12:45pm
Dancers cast in the production will learn their roles over the course of the audition weekend & then rehearse weekly on Sundays.
Detailed schedule with live updates available here.
Performances
Tuesday, November 25 – 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 26 – 7:30pm
*Please note that the Wednesday afternoon show is part of our Education Series, and is not on sale to the general public
By Gazette Staff
September 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Library reports on their Big Borrows stories which is now an annual tradition, as “we explore what Burlington readers are borrowing most from their public library. Now that our Kids Summer Reading Club is wrapped up for another year, it’s a great time to check our borrowing statistics to see what titles are tops with kids so far this year. Here’s what we found.”
The BIGGEST Borrows
 There were 29 children’s titles borrowed at least 70 times, for a whopping 2,433 total borrows “We’re so impressed with the incredible enthusiasm our young customers have for reading this year! The breakdown of the most borrowed physical books (includes children’s fiction, graphic novels, children’s readers & pre-readers, and picture books) goes like this: five titles were borrowed 100 or more times; three titles were borrowed 90-99 times; six titles were borrowed 80-89 times; and 15 titles were borrowed 70-79 times—that’s 29 children’s titles borrowed at least 70 times, for a whopping 2,433 total borrows January through August!
“And here’s the best thing: the kids exceeded last year’s numbers—by a lot. From January to August 2024, BPL members borrowed 37 children’s titles at least 50 times for 2,256 total borrows. In comparison, if we counted children’s physical titles borrowed at least 50 times since January 2025, they would number over 100, with nearly 6,800 total borrows. Wow!
“Let’s take a look at the books that are inspiring these super-readers.”
Top Children’s Fiction
“Not surprisingly to us, Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series saw lots of check-out action, with Diary of a Wimpy Kid Double Down taking top spot with 125 borrows and Cabin Fever (tied with a Dav Pilkey graphic novel) at #3 with 103 borrows. Fifteen books by the author landed in the top 20 children’s fiction titles borrowed since January.
“Respectfully removing Kinney’s titles from the list since they are always mega-hits with the kids, here are the most borrowed physical children’s fiction titles so far this year, each with 50 or more loans.”
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Geronimo Stilton. The Haunted Castle by Geronimo Stilton
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Dork Diaries. Tales from a Not-so-Secret Crush Catastrophe by Rachel Renee Russell
Diary of a Pug. Pug Blasts Off by Kyla May
Dragon Masters. Power of the Fire Dragon by Tracey West
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Dork Diaries. Tales from a Not-so-Happy Heartbreaker by Rachel Renee Russell
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Magic Tree House. Soccer on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
By Gazette Staff
September 4th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) today announced a transformational gift commitment of $1 million from longtime Foundation supporters and Burlington residents Ralph and Susan Sgro.
 These funds will support a new donor-advised fund, the Lindsay’s Loves Fund, created in honour of the Sgro’s late daughter, Lindsay (Sgro) Bridge, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 44.
Lindsay had an unmistakable enthusiasm for life that brought people together. Her deep love for the arts and the Burlington community remains a hallmark of her life and an enduring part of her legacy.
 Lindsay (Sgro) Bridge “Through ‘Lindsay’s Loves,’ charitable causes that she championed will continue to be supported, with a special focus on providing children and youth with access to art programming,” Susan said.
The fund will also support well-being for families and children.
A dragonfly, the symbol of this legacy fund created by the Sgro family in Lindsay’s honour, beautifully reflects her spirit. Dragonflies represent change, inspire creativity, keep dreams alive, and remind us that anything is possible.
“BCF guided us through this journey with compassion and thoughtfulness,” Ralph said. “They took the time to understand our vision and provided the support and structure we needed along the way. Through BCF, we were connected with many meaningful organizations that can now be supported through the Lindsay’s Loves Fund.”
 The Sgro family The Sgros, retired owners of McDonald’s Restaurants in Burlington and Waterdown and current owner, their son Ryan Sgro, have long been generous supporters of charitable causes. Since 2007, the Sgros have been fundholders at BCF, with Susan serving on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for six years, including a term as Chair from 2004-2006.
In 2014, the couple was named Philanthropists of the Year by the Foundation.
“We are honoured to receive this gift from the Sgro family and partner with them to honour the legacy of their beloved daughter, Lindsay,” said Megan Tregunno, Foundation CEO. “Thanks to their generosity, numerous children will benefit from access to activities that Lindsay loved.”
The fund is expected to provide its first grant later this month.
By Gazette Staff
August 30th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
On Sunday September 7, 1:00 pm, LANA BUTTON introduces One Can at A Different Drummer Books – 513 Locust Street Burlington
Admission Free
Our brilliant friend Lana Button, award-winning creator of delightful stories to help young people learn, visits us with her new picture book, written in collaboration with Eric Walters and illustrator Isabelle Malenfant, a moving story of community and helping families in need, One Can.
 “The text is finely tuned to a child’s understanding…the focus is on considering what the recipient needs, and what we can give. A perfectly calibrated introduction to the concept of economic differences.” —Kirkus Reviews
 By Gazette Staff
August 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Known for their hits “Chills,” “Keep It Simple,” “Lawn Chair Lazy,” and countless others, Ontario-based James Barker Band is proof that big dreams can grow from small-town roots. Fueled by friendship, grit, and a shared love for storytelling, this band has gone from local dive bars to headlining stages around the world, amassing millions of global streams, multiple No.1 hits, and the devotion of fans along the way.
Don’t miss them perform live at BPAC
Special guest Kalsey Kulykwill be with them.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 7:30pm
Tickets
 By Gazette Staff
August 27th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
If the photograph below, taken early this morning, is any indication, we are going to have great weekend weather.
 Here is what will be open on the city side of things:
City of Burlington administrative services will be closed for Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 1. For a list of which City services and facilities are available on the long weekend, please see the summary below or visit burlington.ca.
Fireworks reminder
Fireworks are not permitted to be set off on Labour Day. The City’s bylaw allows family (low-hazard) fireworks to be set off on Canada Day and Victoria Day only. More information about who to contact if you have a personal safety concern related to the use of fireworks is available at burlington.ca/fireworks.
| City Service |
Holiday Closure Information |
| Animal Services |
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Monday, Sept. 1. To report an animal control related emergency on a holiday, please call 905-335-7777. |
| Burlington Transit |
Burlington Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, Sept. 1. For real-time bus information and schedules, visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca. Customer Service and Specialized Dispatch will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1. |
| City Hall |
Service Burlington and the Building, Renovating and Licensing counter on the main floor of City Hall at 426 Brant St., will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Monday, Sept. 1.
Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices. If your request is urgent, call 905-335-7777 to connect with the City’s live answering service.
For online development services, MyFiles can be used by residents who have applied for Pre-Building Approval. Check the status of Pre Building Approval applications at burlington.ca/MyFiles. |
| Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office |
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1.
Except for the Labour Day closure, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services. Payment of Provincial Offences fines is available 24/7 at paytickets.ca. |
| Parking |
On Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1: Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
On Saturday, Aug. 30: Pay parking downtown is required in high-demand parking lots (Lots 1, 4 and 5) and all on-street metered parking spaces. A three-hour maximum is in effect for all on-street spaces. Free parking is available in the remaining municipal lots and the parking garage (414 Locust St.).
NOTE:
- The Waterfront west parking lot (1286 Lakeshore Rd.) does not provide free parking on holidays
- During Ribfest, the Waterfront east parking lot is designated for accessible permit parking only. The fine for parking without a valid accessible permit is $400.
- Paid parking is in effect at Beachway Park (1100 and 991 Lakeshore Rd.) on weekends only (including holidays) and at the Beachway overflow lot (Lakeshore Road and Willow Avenue) using HONK Mobile
- Parking exemptions or City-Wide Parking Permits are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit bylaw.burlington.ca for parking exemptions.
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| Recreation Programs and Facilities |
Drop-in swimming and other drop-in recreational activities
- Nelson Pool and Splash Park (4235 New St.), Mountainside Pool and Splash Park (2205 Mt. Forest Dr.), and LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park (50 North Shore Blvd. E.) are open for swimming all weekend and on Labour Day, Monday, Sept. 1 (weather permitting)
- Outdoor pool lap swims and recreational swims are walk-in only, with no reservations
- Indoor pool swim schedules vary over Saturday and Sunday. Indoor pools are not open for drop-in swimming on Labour Day, Monday, Sept. 1
- Monday, Sept. 1 is the last day of the swimming season for LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park.
- Tuesday, Sept. 2 is the last day of swimming for Nelson Pool and Splash Park.
- Daily swimming continues at Mountainside Pool and Splash Park through Sunday, Sept. 7.
- Appleby Ice Centre has a variety of drop-in skating programs on Saturday, Aug. 30
Please visit burlington.ca/dropinandplay for schedules. Please note, some locations may be impacted by annual maintenance closures – see locations.
Splash Pads
The City’s 10 splash pads, located throughout the city, are free to use and will remain open until October. To find a splash pad near you, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.
Outdoor Activities
Burlington has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy with your family during the long weekend including:
- trails and multi-use paths
- parks and playgrounds
- picnic site reservations for La Salle Park (50 North Shore Blvd E.) or Hidden Valley Park (1137 Hidden Valley Rd.)
- pickleball court reservations at Palmer Park (3409 Palmer Dr.), Tansley Woods Park (4100 Kilmer Dr.) and Leighland Park (1200 Leighland Rd)
Find out more at burlington.ca/outdoorplay.
Golf
Tyandaga Golf Course tee times can be booked online at tyandagagolf.com or by calling 905-336-0005, ext. 2.
Play Lending Library
Our Lending Library has a variety of outdoor and indoor play equipment available to borrow at no charge. Equipment pickup is on Thursdays, and return drop off is on Tuesdays at Haber Community Centre (3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.). Borrow lifejackets for the family for the long weekend, add some fun outdoor games to your Love My Neighbourhood event, or try out a variety of play equipment. Learn more at burlington.ca/playlending.
Customer Service
Recreation, Community and Culture customer service is available to assist you in person at recreation facility counters during program times.
Customer service is also available over the long weekend:
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| Roads, Parks and Forestry |
The administrative office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1. Essential services will be provided as required. |
 By Pepper Parr
August 23rd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
It is a difficult play, about difficult issues, with some remarkable performances.
 Never the 51st State is about Two Bridges; Two Nations and Two Invasions.
It is running at the Staircase Theatre in Hamilton this evening, Sunday and again on the 28th, 29th and 30th.
It is not a funny play, but there are a lot of lines that will earn more than a chuckle from the audience..
It draws together the challenges facing the situations in Canada that has a border threatened by its closest neighbour, ally, and trading partner and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the ongoing bloody battle.
Maria Zaichenko, a Ukrainian citizen currently living in Canada while her husband serves on the front lines, plays the part of a Ukrainian soldier defending her country. She visits with her husband frequently.
 Maria Zaichenko, a Ukrainian citizen currently living in Canada while her husband serves on the front lines in Ukraine. For Zaichenko the play is very personal. She heard of the production through friends in her church community and felt a strong desire to be a part of it. “I went to the audition and gave it my all.” For Director Rivers, having Zaichenko on stage gave his production a level of authenticity he didn’t expect.
Emily Bolyea, has two roles in the play: a municipal council member who all too painfully represents what Ontario has in the way of municipal Councillors and later in the play as the wife of General Hull, finding that she has to stand up for her husband, who can no longer stand up for himself. She excelled in both roles.
Tecumseh, played by Derek Groulx, a member of the Mohawk tribe that is part of the Iroquois Confederacy, has a withering few words for General Brock when he responds to a Brock remark about the residential schools. As Tecimseh, he is consistently stoic while attempting to tolerate what is taking place.
 Ray Rivers as American General Hull, opposite Emily Bolyea who plays Hull’s wife. Rivers, who wrote and directed the play also plays the part of American General Hull, who basically gives up any effort to defend Detroit in the War of 1812. Rivers conveys a tired old man who just wants to go home. He didn’t want the job in the first place. Rivers uses body language to great effect. The wife was the one with the words.
There is a lot of history in this play. Much that will be new to many in the audience. Rivers did an excellent job of researching the background.
While not a native of Ukraine, Rivers has a lineage that includes the country that he has visited several times and taught English to Ukrainian students.
 The Canard River Bridge was a strategically vital choke point in the 1812 war’s early stages. It controlled access to Detroit.The bridge that was never defended by the Americans allowing British soldiers to take Detroit. After much debate in 2012, the bridge was named the Hancock-Dean 1812 Bridge to Nationhood. Images of two bridges, the one in Canada at which the fate of Detroit was determined in the war of 1812 and a bridge in the Ukraine that had to be held if the Russian advances were to be stopped: both bridges serve as the backdrop for what is taking place. The bridge in Canada is still in place. Few realize the significance of the structure and the role it played in the war of 1812,
The bridge in Ukraine was something that had to be held if the Russians were to be stopped. Holding proved to be impossible – so the Ukrainians blew it up.
The play doesn’t present any resolutions, but it does set out the challenges Canada faces with a President that is both unpredictable and capricious
The play was produced by the Classical Theatre Company, an amateur group active in the Ancaster and Hamilton communities.
Use of four huge LED screens that provide different backdrops for various scenes describing the setting – who is on the stage, what they are doing and where and when it is taking place, proved to be very useful.
The production had a $4000 budget – profits, if there are any, will be distributed amongst the cast members.
The producers of the play will be donating the LED screens to the Staircase Theatre. They were used very effectively in this production
Never a 51st State will leave people thinking about what the cast had to say about the future of Canada’s relationship with the United States, and how the war in Ukraine will eventually be decided. Today Ukraine peace seems out of reach.
Maria Zaichenko wants to go home.
By Pepper Parr
August 22nd, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Premier Doug Ford said earlier this week that he was unaware of any financial concerns with the funding of the $800 million theme park that he wants to see built at Ontario Place.
 95 year lease with nothing in the way of public consultation. Ford just does it – land grabs, a tunnel under the 401, and now this – while 700,000 people are looking for jobs and the government consistently fails to meet housing targets. The Ford government has signed a controversial plan to place the 145 acres on a 95-year lease with the Swiss mega-spa builder Therme Group without public consultation or environmental assessments.
 Trees are ripped from the ground to make way for a playground. Construction has already begun, with trees ripped out on the west side of the site.
Ford is playing with the truth. He may not have read anything published about the potential financial problems – but he has staff who pay very close attention to issues that could become problems.
Ford’s position is – it is going to be built and it is going to be great.
He is big on the blustering stuff. Mouth moves – brain doesn’t engage kind situation.
And that is unfortunate for a number of reasons.
 Doug Ford – Premier of a province. Leaders set examples. Heck if the Premier doesn’t tell the truth – then I don’t have to tell the truth.
That kind of behaviour erodes public trust – very hard to get it back once it is lost.
At the political level they all do it – and we let them continue by electing them.
A close look at the facts: housing prices – rents – and unemployed young people. These are facts and they need to be addressed.
 By Pepper Parr
August 21st, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Serena Ryder is bringing her Merry Myths Tour to Burlington in December. Special Guest Lydia Persaud will be with her.
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, at 7:30pm
 Ryder and her Merry Myth Tour – in December This holiday season, acclaimed Canadian artist Serena Ryder invites you on a musical journey into the heart of the season’s most beloved traditions with Merry Myths – a festive concert inspired by the folklore, stories, and symbols that shape our ideas of the holiday season.
Serena blends timeless holiday classics with her signature soulful songs. With powerful vocals, joyful energy, and heartfelt storytelling Serena creates an unforgettable evening that celebrates connection, community, and the magic of the season.
Tickets are on sale to Members now! Preferred seating will be held for Gold and Platinum Members until Thurs, Aug 21 at 4:00pm.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Sat, Aug 23 at 12:00pm.
 By Gary Smith,
August 20th. 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The following was first published in the Hamilton Spectator
The local playwright wrote “Never the 51st State” as a warning. It’s a shoutout to any state or country facing a big bully living just next door.
 Peter Anderson in “Never the 51st State.” Photo credit: Gwen Gilhooly “It’s a warning about the dangers of getting too close to a neighbour who has expansionist designs,” Rivers says. “There is a phrase that best summarizes things. ‘Good fences make better neighbours.’”
 Rivers, who wrote and directed the play – also played a bit part. Originally Rivers’ title was “Bridges to Nationhood,” since bridges feature prominently in the text of his drama. It’s been changed however to emphasize the fact the play is more of a cautionary tale than Rivers ever suspected.
“I started writing this play about a year ago, before the current hostility between Canada and the U.S.A., but the story has become more relevant in today’s context.”
Rivers’ play is about a smaller nation defending itself from the aggression of a larger neighbour. Sound familiar? And as events in America’s economic war on Canada started evolving, Rivers’ play grew even wider in scope.
“Whether we’re talking about Canada, or Ukraine, neighbours can be threatening,” Rivers says.
That’s the truth at the heart of Rivers’ play. And that’s the thing that makes it so frightening.
A new work produced by Hamilton’s Classical Theatre Company, “Never the 51st State” is a double-hinged story.
“The first act is about the War of 1812,” says actor Peter Anderson. “It’s about two soldiers who find themselves intoxicated under the River Canard Bridge in Windsor. They wake to find they have been abandoned by their battalion and are facing several hundred American soldiers coming to occupy the bridge. In their drunken, hungover state they don’t run, or raise a white flag, they pick up their guns and start firing.”
Anderson’s character, John Dean, is one of the two renegades.
“He evolves from being a gritty, snivelling, ruthless fighter, to someone compassionate and caring.”
 The two actors play low ranking low-ranking British soldiers who fought in the War of 1812. Peter Anderson on the right and Nicholas Ruddick on the left. “These two men, low ranking British soldiers, defended the initial invasion by the Americans in the War of 1812-1814,” Rivers adds. “It’s a story of a smaller nation defending itself from the aggression of a larger one. We have researched the circumstances in the story and we have adhered to the facts as we know them. But because it’s a story for an audience, some literary licence exists.”
Act 2 of Rivers’ play takes a sudden leap to today and the war between Russia and Ukraine. How these two stories dovetail with amazing significance is what gives “Never the 51st State” vital dramatic connection.
 “The overriding theme is the current American tariff aggression and the state of Canadian-American relations today,” Rivers says.
“The play deals with humanity, politics, history, social dynamics, love and romance, and the power of believing in yourself and your country,” Anderson adds.
Rivers is quick to say this is not his own personal story.
“It’s not about me. My grandparents were Ukrainian immigrants, and I have distant relatives there. I have visited and taught language and culture in the school system there. But recounting history is best done with personal feelings on the sidelines.”
Anderson is bullish on River’s play.
“People should come see the play to gain a better appreciation of Canada as an independent nation with a rich history of standing up for that independence in the face of American adversity. Today’s tension is based on America looking beyond its borders to see what they want, and what they can take without asking,” Anderson says.
“The current American government,” he continues, “feels that Canada’s rich resources, including minerals and water, are well within their grasp, so it may only be a matter of time before real conflict becomes inevitable. This play highlights the need to take that threat seriously and to stand up for our country and the nation we believe in.”
 Mariia Zaichenko, a Ukrainian citizen, is living in Canada. Her husband is serving in the Ukrainian armed forces. She took a break from preparing for the production to visit her husband last week. It is produced by Anderson and Donald Cudmore and features a strong cast of community theatre players, including Valerie Kay, Julian Nicholson, Emily Bolyea and Nicholas Ruddick. It’s directed by Rivers and will use video projections to create the world of the play. It also features Ukrainian actress Mariia Zaichenko who moved to Canada three years ago.
“My husband has been a volunteer since 2014. When the full-scale invasion began, he joined the territorial defence forces. In 2025 he was called to serve and is now part of the Azov unit. It’s a difficult time, but I’m proud of his courage and dedication,” she says.
Zaichenko talks about the role she plays in Rivers’ drama.
 Peter Anderson opposite Mariia Zaichenko “I play a soldier, a woman who after the full-scale invasion began, made the difficult decision to defend her country. She’s a symbol of strength, sacrifice and the painful choices many Ukrainians have faced, especially women. The play is important for Canadians to see because it brings the human side of the war to life. It’s one thing to read the news, but another to feel someone’s story through theatre. The play is deeply personal to me. It gives me a way to process emotions and connect with others. A play like this one helps me turn pain into purpose. It’s healing in a way. It’s not just a script. It’s part of my lived experience,” Zaichenko says.
How the play encompasses its War of 1812 setting and the horror of the current Russian aggression against Ukraine is something that gives Rivers’ work a timeless sense of universality.
Is Rivers’ play a history lesson? Yes, it certainly is. “But it is also a drama and a love story,” Rivers is quick to add.
“The play encompasses valour and passion, including romance,” Anderson says. “We want to bring Canadian history and culture to the hearts and minds of audience members, to make them feel emotionally connected to this wonderful country we live in. In times like these, with war and neighbouring threats all around us, we need a show that displays our cultural and military history in a powerful way.”
The production opens at the Staircase Theatre on Thursday – runs through to August 24th, and the returns on August 28th and runs to the 30th
Ticket sales are being handled by Eventbrite. Click here to place your order.
 The full cast – preparing for their final bow. Along with being a playwright, a director and an actor, Ray Rivers is a Contributing Editor for the Burlington Gazette
By Gazette Staff
August 20th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
 The designs are often different – the message is always the same. Indigenous educator Kate Dickson returns to Burlington Public Library to discuss Orange Shirt Day and its direct connection to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Each year, September 30 holds historical significance acknowledging over 500 years of colonial oppression and discrimination of Indigenous people in Canada. This no-holds-barred presentation will have a positive conclusion that outlines what we can do to change the narrative and stresses Every Child Matters. Due to the subject matter, young people may attend at the discretion of parents but it is recommended that participants be 16 years and older.
Kate welcomes thoughts and questions in addition to the respect and energy attendees bring to the talk. Participants are invited to wear an orange shirt if they have one.
About the Author
 Kate Dickson, Coast Ts’msyen First Nation, Elder, Pacific Northwest British Columbia. Kate Dickson, Coast Ts’msyen First Nation, Elder, Pacific Northwest British Columbia – Lax Kw’alaams Band, Royal House of Niis’gumiik, Giluts’aaw Tribe, Gispudwada Clan (Orca), is a notable speaker on the culture, history, spirituality, and justice issues of Indigenous people, and a singer, drummer, storyteller, and writer. A retired secondary school vice principal and teacher, she was one of the first Indigenous educators to teach full semesters of pan-Indigenous history, bringing accurate, unflinching truths to her students. She stays engaged in the arts and is a singer with the Red Cedar Sisters.
Tuesday, September 30
7:00pm – 8:30pm
There are just 55 seats left. Events like this go quickly – Register now.
By Pepper Parr
August 18th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATED: Correction made to the dates the event is running at the Staircase Theatre: opens this Thursday Thursday and runs through to the 24th, then again from the 28th to the 30th
 Big week for Ray Rivers and the cast of Never the 51st State, which opens at the Staircase theatre on Thursday and runs through to the 24th, then again from the 28th to the 30th
 Ray Rivers, on the left, wrote the play and is directing the cast – plays a part as well. For those who attend they will be part of a unique approach to live theatre.
Not going to tell you any more than that.
The costumes are superb.
The cast looked great at the rehearsals.
The approach to this piece of theatre is very interesting – it will be interesting to see when it is live.
 The female lead, who is not in the scene with these three combatants, is just back from a short visit to Ukraine, where her husband is serving in the army. Her role brings both an immediacy and a poignancy to this production.  Differences are worked out on the stage.  The full cast practicing their thanks to the audience.
By Gazette Staff
August 19th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Great Disconnect is a documentary that features Canadian voices, asking the questions:
“Can we be individualistic and communal?”
“Is it possible to overcome our modern culture of disconnectedness and rediscover how truly essential we are to one other?”
The film explores themes around how isolation and conversely connection are critical health issues.
 Join Community Development Halton (CDH) as we celebrate 41 years of connecting community as we offer a screening of The Great Disconnect, followed by a panel featuring local research, solutions and shared stories from CDH members about how we bridge disconnection to belonging in Halton. The panel guests include:
· Elizabeth Wells from Our Kids Network
· Steven Barrow from CDH
· Hanadi Al-Masri from HMC Connections
· Michelle Sparling from Just be You
The event is free but registration is required. Click HERE to register
We hope to see you in September 9th. Doors open at 5:30pm with refreshments. The program begins at 6:00pm.
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