Huron Expositor, 2014-12-10, Page 3Wednesday, December 10, 2014 • Huron Expositor 3
Three new names added to county's economic development board
,Steve Baker, Peter Smith and John
Grace appointed as members
Scott Currie
Special to QM! Agency
Three new faces have joined
the Huron County economic
development board. Steve
Baker, founder and CEO of
Virtual High School, Peter
Smith, project director for
Blyth Arts and Culture Initia-
tive 1419 Inc., and John Grace,
former Deputy Mayor of
Goderich were recently
appointed to the board by
Huron County Council.
The newly created board
is working towards count-
ywide economic develop-
ment and has met three
times to date. These early
meetings have succeeded
in developing a terms of
reference, vision and mis-
sion statements and
educated Board members
on the current economic
development landscape in
Huron County and south-
western Ontario. As part of
its intelligence gathering
process, the board will be
reaching out to other pri-
vate and public sector led -
boards and organizations.
"Our intention is to col-
lect as much information
and insight as possible
from all of the groups who
currently have a vested
interest in economic devel-
opment in Huron County,"
said Jim Lynn, board chair.
"Right now, we are learn-
ing from our county Eco-
nomic Development Ser-
vices team and our next
step will be to reach out to
organizations like the
Huron Tourism and Huron
Manufacturing Associa-
tions. Our immediate goal
is to listen deeply and we
look forward to engaging
with other groups."
With the citizen spots on
the board now occupied,
members will be working
with county council board
members including outgo-
ing Warden, Joe Steffler,
the new Warden, once
elected, and one addi-
tional councillor to be
nominated by council.
Steven Sparling, board
vice -chair, commended
county council for sup-
porting the board and
shared that all citizen
members are tremen-
dously excited to under-
stand economic develop-
ment from an elected
official's viewpoint.
"This learning process is
crucial to the success of the
board. We insist on having
an understanding of eco-
nomic development princi-
ples, best practice prece-
dents, and the local
landscape before we start
making any decisions. We
really appreciate other
organizations and their will-
ingness to step up and share
their insights as we work
towards success in Huron
County," Sparling said.
Scott Currie is the com-
munication coordinator
with Huron County
Huron Song Chorus to raise funds for a great cause
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
Sweet songs of the season
will soon be heard at North-
side United Church, as the
HuronSong Chorus pre-
pares to take the stage for a
great cause on Dec. 15.
Though there is no entry
fee, donations raised at the
event will go to benefit the
Huron Women's Shelter in
Goderich.
For chorus director Deb-
orah Bailey, getting the
chance to show off the
group's immense talent, as
well as bringing in money
for a worthwhile cause, is
always something to look
forward to.
"We only even do benefit
concerts and we do them
twice a year, once in the
spring and once at Christ-
mas," she explained, add-
ing the group practices dil-
igently for 10 weeks before
each performance. "We
really have a good time
when we get together. I
push them hard but they
really like it and the results
are great, 61 singers makes
a really good sound."
This is the 7th year
HuronSong has collected
donations for the Huron
Women's Shelter, an
organization Bailey
believes is worth helping.
"As far as the women's
shelter, I had done a course
there several years ago and
I knew there just wasn't
enough focus on it and I
know they've been hurting.
I've been there and I've
seen that shelter overflow-
ing more than once," she
said. "So, we wanted to
have a purpose for the con-
cert and for singing, we
would get together and
sing probably regardless
but this is nice."
The Huron Women's
Shelter offers second stage
housing, as well as
education and counseling
services to women and
children all over Huron
County.
According to executive
director Michele Hansen,
the Huron Song concerts
have become an important
of the shelter's fundraising,
as they must raise over
$100,000 annually to meet
budget.
"The shelter will use the
funds from the concert to
support our emergency
services including emer-
gency shelter for women
who have experienced
abuse and their children,
shelter for homeless
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women and children,
transportation and coun-
seling," she explained, add-
ing over the past seven
years, the chorus has
raised well over $10,000 for
the organization. "We are
very appreciative and the
music is just beautiful."
The HuronSong Chorus
is made up for 61 singers
from all over Huron
County, including Sea -
forth. This year's concert
will feature flute accompa-
niment, while the chorus,
as well as some small
groups and solos, perform
a mix of classical and con-
temporary Christmas
favourites, some secular
and some sacred.
"It's a nice variety of
Christmas music," said Bai-
ley. "We have an awesome
sound with an awesome
purpose for the money
raised. I think it's a win-
win. It's great the shelter
wins, especially at
Christmas."
HuronSong will perform
at Northside United
Church, Seaforth, on Dec.
15 at 7:30 p.m.
There is no charge for
the event, but a free will
offering will be received,
with a dessert reception to
follow.
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December 11 - 13
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