HSC announces female bursary; fun events on tap in Muskoka; South Muskoka hospital site update; HFA calling all artists; basically, Chris needs an easy day (LOL)

Okay all, I’m having one of those days in a professional writer’s life where much of my creativity has gone into other projects I’m working on (specifically the spring Dockside Magazines in Simcoe and Muskoka).

So, on that note, here’s some tidbits from around our wonderful region that I’ve been sitting on for a day like this.

NOTE: I am the only media member that can take a byline credit for the Huntsville Soccer Club press release because I’m the one who wrote it.

Huntsville Soccer Club announces bursary for female athletes

The Huntsville Soccer Club is proud to announce its first annual bursary for female athletes.

The award will be $500 for a high school graduate who is pursuing post-secondary education and is geared towards those who are – or were – a member of either the Huntsville Soccer Club or the Muskoka United Football Club during their high school years.

The successful recipient will have been an athlete and ideally have contributed to either of the clubs as a coach, referee, or volunteer.

Credit to former board member Candace-Rose Joiner, who spearheaded the creation of the bursary, and the rest of the HSC executive committee for acknowledging its value.

“We’re very excited to be able to offer this bursary to one of our current or former athletes,” says club president Ted Maduri. “And hats off to Candace for getting the ball rolling on this initiative.”

Selection Process

All female athletes of graduating age are invited to apply for the award. The application deadline for each year will be the fourth Friday of the outdoor season, which makes the 2023 deadline Friday, June 16.

Applicants will need to submit an essay (no longer than 500 words) describing their contributions to the club(s). This includes the number of years as an athlete and what other roles they filled in the club(s). Applicants should also discuss how being involved in soccer has positively influenced their lives, and briefly describe their post secondary education plans, including (if applicable) their intent to play on a post secondary sports team. 

The winner will be informed of their success on Soccer Day (Saturday, July 29, 2023). To have the funds released, the winner must submit proof of enrollment, and/or a class schedule, to the club.  

For more information on the bursary, visit https://www.huntsvillesoccer.ca/female-athlete-bursary Those looking to apply, please email administrator@huntsvillesoccer.ca

CHOICE EVENTS COMING UP IN MAY

The Muskoka Mom Prom fundraising event in support of YWCA Muskoka takes place on Friday, May 12 at the Muskoka Foundry in Bracebridge. This year’s theme is “Revenge of the Bridesmaids.” Learn more and buy tickets at Muskoka Mom Prom.

The May 2/4 Craft Beer Festival takes place in River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville on Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more at: https://www.muskokacraftbeerfestival.com/

The 39th annual Mayor’s Rockin’ Tea in Gravenhurst takes place on May 24. Mayor Heidi Lorenz hosts this fun afternoon event complete with an Elvis tribute performer, tea and refreshments at the Gravenhurst Opera House. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the show beings at 1 p.m. Contact Nicole at 705-687-3412 ext. 2122 or Nicole.gray@gravenhurst.ca to reserve your space.

Of course there are many other things taking place such as concerts at Canvas Brewing and the Kee to Bala, but the above selections were based on their larger-community appeal.

Preferred site selected for South Muskoka Memorial

1975 Muskoka Beach Road across from Muskoka Brewery is the preliminary preferred site for the new South Muskoka Memorial Hospital announced Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) during April’s round of public meetings.

The site, which is pretty close to the Bracebridge and Gravenhurst border, will now be subject to further due diligence such as geotechnical and hydrogeological studies, cost estimates, environmental assessment, and site plan preparation.

There were two other sites shortlisted and these will remain as back-up options should any unforeseen issues occur at the preferred location. The other two sites in Bracebridge were 300 Pine Street between Walmart and the fairgrounds; and Highway 118 West lands, located east of the Muskoka Hills retirement villa.

This is all part of the steps MAHC are required to take as it moves forward with the hospital redevelopment process in both Bracebridge and Huntsville.

Huntsville’s 100-acre site on Frank Miller Drive has more than enough room for the expansion and redevelopment plans, which is why recent focus has been on choosing the right location for the new South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

This stage is part of the province’s capital planning process, which at this stage includes program and service planning to meet the community’s future needs based on population projections; and considering future changes like expanded technology; site selection for a new location for the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital (SMMH); and the financing plan for the community’s local share of $225 million of the $967 redevelopment project.

Once the site is confirmed to meet all the pre-construction criteria, the next stage in the process is the detailed planning step of the process which will occur between 2024 and 2029, according to MAHC’s timelines.

ARTISTS WANTED

Our friends at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts are seeking submissions for the 4th annual Group of Seven Canoe Mural Project. From June 12 to 17, seven artists will join muralist Gerry Lantaigne to create original murals inspired by and celebrating the work of Tom Thomson.

The murals will be painted en plein air in Downtown Huntsville’s River Mill Park.  Each one will be painted on the underside of a canoe and will incorporate and take inspiration from a painting by one of the members of the group. The Huntsville Festival of the Arts invites Muskoka based artists to submit proposals for inclusion in the project. The deadline for submissions is May 17, check out .

As well, the Festival is accepting applications from artists to be part of the June 24 En Plein Air Market taking place on June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville.

To be part of the 20 vendors participating, visit En Plein Air Market and apply. The deadline for applications is May 18.

CIAO FOR NOW

Stay tuned for Friday’s football (soccer) column, some new podcasts next week and more! Thanks for reading and ciao for now!

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