COMMON REGISTRATION NIGHT – New Programs Announced for Kids 5-10yrs

Written by admin on 24 September 2012

Common Registration Night, Wednesday, September 19th, at the Recreation Centre Auditorium. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – The Township of Manitouwadge’s annual Common Registration Night was held last Wednesday, September 19th, offering residents information on a variety of programs and services for 2012-13.

Among the representatives in attendance this year were those from local or regional educational, athletic, musical, entertainment and service organizations, businesses and groups. Nite on the Town Entertainment Series, School of Rock, Manitouwadge Adult Learning Centre, MHS Athletic Association, Early Years Centre Manitouwadge Hub, Manitouwadge Minor Hockey Association were a few of those in the auditorium taking registrations for programs and services and providing additional information, pamphlets, course catalogues, even apparel in the case of the MHS AA; to interested attendees.

While speaking to some of the representatives in attendance, OntarioNewsNorth.com was thrilled to learn of exciting new programs and services they have available this year. It was unfortunate, especially considering the work involved for those who bring their booths, printed materials, merchandise, audio/video displays and other informative materials, that attendance was down again this year. It was estimated by several of those with tables, that fewer than 50 people, including both adults and children, may have visited during the 2hr event. Though dissapointing, the annually declining number of attendees comes as little surprise, in light of the absence of any advertising for this event in OntarioNewsNorth.com which is now Manitouwadge’s lone local newspaper.

Those who did not attend certainly missed out on some great free draws, offered by a number of attending groups, as well as a unique opportunity to browse the services and programs available in Manitouwadge this Fall/Winter. Here are some of the great new and returning programs, services or products you missed if you were unable to attend:

Nite on the Town Entertainment Series volunteers Nathalie Labbee and Phil Minty were selling tickets for an exciting 2012-13 season which offers performances by:

East Coast Music Award winner Dave Gunning (October 21st)
Juno Award winners Kim Stockwood and Kevin Fox
A full cast performance of physical theatre by the award winning of Axis Theatre Vancouver “The #14”
Treasa Lavasseur & The Daily Special a high energy blues band
Gypsy jazz/pop by highly acclaimed band The Lost Fingers

Labbee will be sharing full details of this exciting season with OntarioNewsNorth.com readers in a press release to be published early next week PLUS again this year watch for your chance to WIN tickets to performances throughout the season!

In addition to the very popular, regular programs offered at the BEST START Manitouwadge Hub (Family Place), Program Coordinator Kristy Lachance was excited to share details and accept registrations for:

“Let’s Play” a 3 week Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Program for kids 8-11 years of age
“Books are for Eating” a one day program for those 5-10 years of age where kids will have fun cooking and tasting authentic meals from around the world, enjoy learning about different cultures and learn about healthy eating choices

Lachance explained that she recognized a need, within the community, for programs open to children from 5 to 10 years old aspired with the aforementioned programs, to answer that need. “There didn’t seem to be many choices for kids that age, [that] made it difficult to decide which ages to include, we’re trying this to start” Lachance explained. If judging by the quickly filling registrations for both programs, Lachance seems to be offering exactly what was missing. Lachance was very enthusiastic about the interest shown and in regards to the benefits of the programs themselves ” ‘Books are for Eating’ was popular last year and I am pleased to be offering it again. ‘Let’s Play‘ is new in Manitouwadge, we’re going to have a lot of fun playing group games like frisbee, relays, variations on ball and tag games, then we provided a healthy snack which the children are prepare themselves.’

Providing programs for older children is not part of the Hub’s mandate, however Lachance is committed to taking advantage of the flexibility she is permitted to think ‘out of the box’ and respond to our communities specific needs. Parents of registered children we spoke to were very excited and appreciative of the new exercise program and returning cooking class “Kristy is working hard to determine how the Hub can best serve [the families in] Manitouwadge. It’s really great to have some options for the kids aside from hockey.” said the mother of one participant. Lachance was also taking the opportunity to remind those she spoke with that all are welcome to the Hub’s upcoming Open House, September 25th at their new location Room 18, in the lower level of Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School.

CLICK HERE for the Best Start Manitouwadge Hub’s SEPTEMBER 2012 Calendar
CLICK HERE to visit their Facebook Page

School of Rock Owner/Instructor Keith Johnson was in attendance, having travelled from Marathon to attend and potentially welcome new students he was taking registrations for a wide variety of music lessons including, piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Johnson travels to Manitouwadge (and other Northshore communities) each week, providing lessons at both Our Lady of Lourdes and Manitouwadge Public School/École Publique Franco-Manitou. Johnson’s business has grown significantly since beginning in Marathon several years ago; in addition to his musical expertise adults and children appreciate Johnson’s patient teaching style and youthful energy. If you would like more information regarding the lessons offered by School of Rock contact Keith Johnson at 807.228-0194. (Johnson also sells a variety of instruments and musical accessories including instructional books). CLICK HERE to visit the School of Rock’s facebook page.

The Manitouwadge the Adult Learning Centre, in addition to sharing information about the current programs which include: General Equivalency Diploma (GED) instruction and testing, English and Math classes and basic computer courses, the Centre’s Administrative Assistant Danielle Cooke was also speaking to people about whether French programs should be offered once again. Cooke was cautiously optimistic pointing out that the budget for this year has already been made but that if there is enough interest in having French programs or a French instructor at the Centre steps would be taken to determine the feasibilitu would like to brush up on academic basics, add new skills to your resume or learn more about any of the classes offered at the centre, offer call 807.826.4362 or visit them at 33 Shebandowan Drive (next to the old hotel). Sheldon Plummer and Kristy Lachance were winners of the MALC’s draws

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