Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Mayor

July 1st Canada Day Celebration In Aurora, Faces That Shaped This Year’s Parade

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:41:33 +0000

I think every face shaped Aurora’s Canada Day celebrations on July 1st, 2012, those in the parade and those in the audiance. If I could capture every face and every expression and the feeling of each person, I would – ‘the spirit, the patriotism and the smiles‘.

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

The clear blue sky, perfect light and the beautiful downtown facade were only few elements letting me capture the moment. I think on that day I have captured the spirit of all proud Aurorans, and most of all proud Canadians.

Unfortunately this will be the last post of 2012 parade because I could go on and on. However I am looking forward for next year’s celebrations which will be even more special.

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Mayor Geoffrey Dawe, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Perhaps one more thing. On June 12, 2012 during the council meeting Councillor Evelyn Buck gave intriguing speech reflecting on the success of the historical Canada Day Celebrations of 1963 (Aurora’s 100 year anniversary) and 1967 (Canada’s 100 year anniversary).

This speech was to encourage public participation, or more so people of Aurora to participate and to organize the next year’s (2013) party for 150 years of Aurora. We compiled Councillor Buck’s speech into a post which you can read on our community FOCUS site – Councillor Evelyn Buck Remembers Canada Day Celebrations in Aurora.

That and many other things gave me an idea to start people’s history page on the community FOCUS site. I think it will be nice to have something that is written by people of Aurora or former Auroran’s remembering our town.

Historian will give you facts and people will give you their experiences. These experiences will be gone if not recorded. I encourage you to participate and share your stories. A story is not a story if not shared and I bet many of us have them.

Evelyn Buck with her daughter Teresa, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Councillor Paul Pirri, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

2012 Aurora Citizen of the Year Brian North, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Jan Freedman Aurora Farmer’s Market, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Mountie, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Theater, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Shriner’s Float, Town of Aurora Canada Day Parade

Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day Event Great Event, Short On Innovation

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:00:09 +0000

It all started with the reminding announcement I heard on the radio yesterday while driving home. The announcer sounded rather sarcastic than encouraging the Aurora Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day participation.

Today was the Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day and I don’t even know where to begin – I have so many thoughts.

Pitch-In

Let’s start with the positive side of the anti-litter day event. Any type of awareness is good for the community. Its good for the environment and its good for our children as they are our future and we need to teach them good environmental habits.

Congratulations to all who participated in today’s event.

Waiting

The Town of Aurora announced this event on their site and concluded with this statement: ‘Last year, Aurorans collected 1.94 tonnes (1940 kilograms) of litter and we are looking to collect even more in 2012.‘

Is more better you may ask yourself? I asked my husband the same question after the event not seeing the above statement yet. I stated – ‘I hope that this year during this event less garbage will be collected.‘

Hopefully They Are Asking The Same Question?

Collecting less and less litter during this day event is a positive outcome and it means that the Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day awareness is working. It was rather disappointing to read that the Town of Aurora was looking forward to collect more litter in 2012.

I know, I know, I am picking on something probably very insignificant and I am sure that whoever wrote this note did not mean for us to interpret that way. I am sure they meant that more volunteers will come out and help to clean up our town. More of us out, more garbage collected.

Take Pride In Our Parks & Do Not Litter

Then another question popped in my head later on – are we innovative?

I admit, I did not participate in collecting garbage today (I got my reasons) but we did come to the Town Park to enjoy the activities with Matthew just before lunch. Park was still preparing for the celebration – food and fun activities for volunteers and families. We had an opportunity to enjoy few things without waiting in long lines.

We had other obligations, so we left before volunteers arrived for the celebration.

Recyclable Drinks

Yes, innovation came to my mind when I saw blue recycle boxes full of drinks in cans and plastic bottles. So how innovative is that? Volunteers spend three hours collecting garbage around the town and then we come to the town park to generate more garbage. I just find this ironic.

I am sure anti-littering day event is not only to tell littering people not to litter, but bring up the complete environmental awareness how bad to the environment is the littering concept.

Hopefully Others Will Say The Same Thing

So here is what I have to say. We have to be more innovative. Repeating same thing over and over again does not make things greener. We need to think about solutions that work. We need to educate children to develop good habits.

Thinking?

Last year about 2000 kg of litter was collected. If I recall last year’s event, I have seen some interesting items piled up in the pick up areas. I think if you reuse what was collected you could easily assemble living space for a one person.

The good news is that we did not have such things this year, at least in the area where I live. But if we collect about the same weight of litter, then that means we collected more of light garbage.

We Cannot Just Have Fun

How can we reduce littering? Not so fast, first we need to identify source of littering. Probably the biggest litter comes from blue boxes that are filled to the top on the windy day. Second source comes from people who litter.

Fishing For Ideas For Next Year?

Our blue box broke. The garbage man is to blame. Town will replace your blue box with a new one. All you need to do is to bring broken one for a worthwhile exchange. We did and we got not just brand new box but taller one. We did not have chance to use it yet as we continue to have technical difficulties filling up the smaller blue box.

Hint, put three inch mark inside the blue box from the top that shows recommended fill up height and develop habit to never pass that mark.

Put This Year Behind & Let Us Be More Innovative Next Year

Perhaps in years to come the Mayor’s Anti-Litter day will be more strategic and innovative. I am hoping to see less litter on the ground, less litter collected and less litter generated as a result of this awareness.

Lastly, lets hope that next year I will also capture some innovative ideas on photos because this year was just like last year.

Town Park, Aurora

SOYRA Successful 25th Anniversary Celebration, Celebration of Art, My Footage

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:56:15 +0000

The Society of York Region Artists (SOYRA) on January 21st, 2012 held an opening reception for their 25th anniversary show and sale exhibition. I recommend that if you have a chance or you are in the area please do drop by.

Photos tell a thousand words but they do not tell the complete story. The art of over 60 artists is beautifully displayed on the first and second floor of the Aurora Cultural Centre and it will be there until February 4th.

Shawna Patenaude, Artist

Wet Apple - Green, Art by Shawna Patenaude

I arrived on time and people trailed. The rooms were filling up. I met up with my favorite artist, my guide that day, and a very friendly soul Shawna Patenaude (emerge into light). This was my second time to meet with her. Shawna is also the executive secretary at SOYRA and was instrumental in setting up the exhibit rooms.

SOYRA 25th Anniversary Celebration Exhibit, Aurora Cultural Centre

The opening reception was going to start in about forty five minutes so I had lots of time to walk around and explore, and of course to take photos of the paintings and artwork. Sometimes I wish I could operate paint brush like an artist – it is a skill and great talent and unique to each artist. But after all I am happy that at least I can operate my camera.

Herbert Pryke (Fall Reflection) and Zorica Miric (Red Connection)

Two paintings were sold and the show wasn’t even opened yet. Coincidentally one of the paintings sold, Red Connection, was by Zorica Miric who exhibited the same painting at the Skylight Gallery at the Town Hall, and I blogged about it back in November last year, Chores at the Town Hall, Skylight Gallery On The List Always. Another face to face encounter.

The other amazing painting sold was by another great artist Herbert Pryke, Fall Reflections.

Isaac Petch House by Jennifer Blacquiere

Something else caught my eye in the corner of the Red Gallery. Something I see all the time, the Isaac Petch House by Jennifer Blacquiere. At first I thought, a photograph? I never seen so much detail captured in the painting. Just the brick itself, the vine and the grass. Everything about this painting was so real.

Too bad that we will be saying a good-bye to the real thing anytime soon – Isaac Petch house is up for demolishing. That reminds me I should follow up on the log Petch house that has been undergoing restoration since last summer.

SOYRA New Logo

I never heard about SOYRA before so I wouldn’t know about the logo. I guess it was time for the makeover, and for another 25 years or more SOYRA will have a new logo, the swatch wheel in the O. Personally this is a very nice and elegant logo, not overwhelming, and definitely represents SOYRA members.

Nancy Newman, SOYRA President

I also got to meet interesting people, including Nancy Newman, President of the Toronto Watercolour Society (TWS) and the Society of York Region Artists (SOYRA), who is also a water colour artist. I visited her website and found everything she does and did in the past – very impressive portfolio.

Nancy Newman Speaking at the Opening Reception

Geoffrey Dawe Mayor of Aurora

Because of the invitation, I was much comfortable taking pictures of the opening reception. It was so nice to be part of this event, and I am amazed that for the size of the town we are, over fifty thousand people, how people still have special connections and friendships in the community.

Paintings by the SOYRA Founders

In the front podium three paintings were displayed by the original founders of SOYRA, including painting on the left by Ann Armstrong and painting on the right by her late husband. She was also at the reception.

Ann Armstrong, One of the Founders of SOYRA

Well how can I possibly summarize this great event in one post. Another blog post, and may be another blog post will follow. I will talk more about the magic on the wall and my personal observations.

Zorica Miric Looking at Paintings, Aurora Cultural Centre

Note I have submitted more pictures to be posted on SOYRA or Shawan’s Facebook, so please visit there to check for more event pictures.

Antique Wagon by Shawna Patenaude

Excellent Customer Service Does Not Go Unappreciated

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:02:37 +0000

Last week I finally got my letter out to Mayor acknowledging Ivy (Accessibility Adviser then) for the excellent customer service regarding concern I had how the pedestrians, especially parents with children, walked to and from Superstore along the Earl Stewart Drive. She recognized the need and took action immediately.

The sidewalk is on its way according to Ivy. I will be following up with the Works Department on the progress shortly. I am not letting it go as I continue to see parents strolling on the road especially when coming back from the Superstore. They are going with the traffic, and they cannot see what is behind them. The sidewalk is a must.

To me customer service is not about what result you get but how your issue was handled. I was fortunate to receive both.

So that is that, however, I have one more thing I appreciate from the Town of Aurora.

We did not get the second vehicle until late summer. Guess what, I was walking everywhere as far as 3-4 km away from home. Nothing like being outside.

Grass Grooming

Many times during the summer we passed by when grass was being cut. I was pleased how the Town of Aurora staff always would stop their equipment or move away great distance from us so we could pass by and continue with our walk in a clear path.

Cutting grass can make lot of dust, so I was really pleased with their way handling passing by pedestrians. Another great plus for the Town of Aurora staff.

Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, and here is mine. Happy belated one.

Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day, Event Photo Coverage

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 04 May 2011 04:36:31 +0000

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day event past Saturday April 30th, but I came just in time for lunch at the Town Park, as spectator only. The truth is that I had some time during the afternoon, day was really beautiful for pictures and I wanted to take some photos of the Wells St. School, which I did. However, why not, I snapped some famous faces from Aurora. I know only few, but some stood out for a reason.

To start it was refreshing to see this add in green this time.

May 1st, 2011 Mandatory Use of Compostable Bags For Green Bin

A young lady singing beautifully with her band.

Singing Voices

Former Town of Aurora Mayor Tim Jones proudly supporting Libral candidate for Newmarket-Aurora Kyle Peterson and talking to the people in the crowd.

Former Mayor Tim Jones

I thought this photo below is a must for the event. I always enjoy when people wear something traditional and stand out in the crowd.

The Spirit of Traditions

Venessa Long, the Green Party candidate for Newmarket-Aurora. I am assuming she is with her family here. I didn’t vote for the Green Party this time, but I gave my signature so she can run as a candidate in Newmarket-Aurora. Little contribution, but better than nothing.

Venessa Long

Our Mayor of course.

Current Mayor of Town of Aurora, Geoff Dawe

A man proudly supporting the event. He did look like someone I have seen before. However, I loved the spirit and involvement with the crowd.

Event Supporter

Lastly, this must be the event photographer. It may sound funny, but those behind cameras rarely are photographed. So how can you ever proof that the picture you took is yours.

Event Photographer

I am sure this turned out to be a successful Mayor’s Anti-Litter Day.