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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-03-11, Page 3Kenya Internship Wednesday, March 11, 2015 • Lucknow Sentinel 3 OAAS Celebrates Fabulous Family Fun Annual OAAS Convention Report Prompts Fundraiser �°m�° Lunch in Lucknow Support Water Springs Development Erin Gilchrist This summer, Erin Gilchrist will be traveling to the village of Maragoli, in Western Kenya, to complete an intern- ship with a non-governmen- tal organization called Stu- dents for International Development. This organiza- tion has been completing development projects abroad for nearly a decade, with the goal of contributing to popu- lation health, access to qual- ity education, and poverty reduction. After completing the coursework component of her Masters degree in the Political Economy of Interna- tional Development program at the University of Toronto in May, Erin will be learning the ropes as a project manager on a water springs develop- ment initiative, which will be designed through consulta- tion with community mem- bers, the village chief, and local construction workers to increase the community's access to clean water. Walking to the well to fetch buckets of water several times a day while she volun- teered in Ghana in 2013 made Erin acutely aware of the crucial importance of reliable access to water. Although it is easy to take water for granted in a country such as Canada, improving access to water can make an enormous difference in the life of someone in a rural vil- lage such as Maragoli. Erin is currently raising money to finance the water springs development project. If you would like to support this initiative, Erin would be grateful to see you at the Luc - know Town Hall on Saturday March 14th from 11:30 am to1:00 pm for a chili lunch. Donations made will go towards the costs of the pro- ject. If you have any ques- tions about the project, please don't hesitate to con- tact Erin at e.gilchrist@mail. utoronto.ca. Erin Gilchrist Erin Gilchrist will be raising funds to finance a water springs development project in Maragoli, Kenya, where she will be going to complete an internship. Volunteer experience in Ghana in 2013 heightened Erin's interest in clean water projects. Pictured here is Kwashe, a child at the orphanage where Erin volunteered in Ghana, as he carries a bucket of water back to the orphanage from the well. Ontario Fairs - Fabulous Family Fun was the perfect theme; as it captured the atmosphere at the recent Ontario Association of Agri- cultural Societies (OAAS) Convention that took place February 19 - 21, 2015, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, in Toronto, ON. With over 1000 delegates, service members, ambassa- dors and special guests in attendance, representing over 165 agricultural socie- ties; the positive buzz of Ontario Fairs was evident and alive all weekend. Spe- cial thanks to the out of prov- ince delegates who regis- tered from Nova Scotia, Quebec, Manitoba, Sas- katchewan and Alberta. The convention was offi- cially opened Thursday even- ing by the Honorable Jeff Leal, Provincial Minister of Agricul- ture Food and Rural Affairs. Minister Leal highlighted some of the successes and programming offered to the Ontario agricultural societies. The OAAS was also honoured to have Parliamentary Secre- tary, Gerald Keddy M.P., who delivered greetings from the Federal Government on the Friday evening. He expressed the importance and value of the agricultural societies in Ontario and recognized all the members and volunteers for their contributions. A valuable asset of the OAAS Convention program is the opportunity for delegates to network and participate in seminars covering a broad range of topics. Some of the more than 25 sessions offered this year included ABC's of Board Governance, Working with Midways, Working with your Municipality and Mak- ing Ag Education a Must. Something new this year was the "Under 40" Hospitality Suite where younger dele- gates could mix and mingle. The annual convention is also a time to showcase the "best of the best'; with provin- cial competitions for hand and machine quilts, photog- raphy, posters, cookies and breads. Over 90 Fair Ambas- sadors participated in pro- grams designed to foster self- confidence, team building and leadership building. The annual convention also provides an opportunity to recognize the support and assistance of a number of partners including the Cana- dian National Exhibition (platinum sponsor) and The Co -Operators, Dominion Regalia and Ancaster Agricul- tural Society (gold sponsors) . Relocating the tradeshow to the Canadian Room this year, resulted in an increased num- ber of exhibitors. The Family Entertainment Showcase and the Mini Ag Awareness Trade Showwere located adjacent to the entrance of the tradeshow making it much easier for del- egates to access these as well. Due to the overwhelming support from members the convention's live and silent auctions were deemed a suc- cess, earning over $10,000 to assist with the convention programming and year round operating expenses for the organization. The convention concluded on Saturday morning with the Annual General Meeting. Keynote Speaker Mark John- son, Program Manager at Tim Horton Onondaga Farms, spoke on "Motivating Youth". Catherine Redden from Campbellford, ON, became the new President of the Ontario Association of the Agricultural Societies. Joining Cathy on the execu- tive are: Sylvia Parr (Past President), Elaine Rennie (Vice President), Judy McFaul (2nd Vice President) "Celebrating Rural Ontario" is definitely an ideal slogan for the organization and has been selected as the theme for 2015. It highlights the efforts of the nearly 220 agricultural societies who showcase the best of this important part of Ontario. LUCKNOW ARENA SCHEDULE MARCH 11 - MARCH 17 Wed Mar 11, 2015 10am Adults & Tots Public Skating 6pm Bantam Development Practice 7pm PeeWee Rep 8:30pm Legends Practice 9:30pm Rec League - Kintail vs Lanes Fri Mar 13, 2015 10am Adults & Tots Public Skating 5:45pm Atom Girls Practice 6:45pm Atom Rep 8pm Midget Development Playoff Game vs Minto 9:30pm Port Albert vs Blyth Overloads Sun Mar 15, 2015 8am Elaine Irwin Memorial Bantam Tournament Tue Mar 17, 2015 10am 1pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8:30pm Adults & Tots Public Skating Public Skating - Thompson's Port Albert Atom Rep Practice PeeWee Development Practice Midget Girls Lancers Practice Thu Mar 12, 2015 10am Adults & Tots Public Skating 5pm Atom Development Practice 6pm PeeWee Rep Practice 7pm Bantam Rep 8:30pm Midget Girls Practice 9:30pm Rec League - Holyrood vs Saratoga Sat Mar 14, 2015 8am 7 30p 8pm LAWS Atom Tournament Lancers Game Warmup Lancers Playoff Game vs Shallow Lake Mon Mar 16, 2015 10am Adults & Tots Public Skating 1 pm Public Skating - Sponsored by Helm Welding 5pm Novice Development Practice 6pm Bantam Rep Practice 7pm Bantam Development 8:30pm Midget Rep HURON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO-OPERATIVE LTD. 519-395-3800 www.hurontel.on.ca