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AURORA AND NEWMARKET COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS REBEKAH MURDOCH AND JACKIE PLAYTER COMING TOGETHER TO SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE

Photo by Glenn Rodger Photography

NEIGHBOUR MEDIA UPDATE Hey Neighbours! Another month has passed and we continue to be so grateful for all of the kind words and support that we have received thus far! Watching the community come alive again as the weather warms up has been so amazing for us. It’s awesome to be back out in person, collaborating and engaging with our community partners and local residents! We also have some big news to share… Joanne Witt has joined the Neighbour Media team! Joanne has a passion for community and many years of media experience - we are so excited to introduce her to you all. Check out the Get to Know your Neighbours page to learn more about Joanne! • Sunday June 5th is Canadian Armed Forces Day. • For all the rosé lovers in the Neighbourhood, National Rosé Day is the second Saturday in June each year making it June 11th 2022. Cheers to that! • Father’s Day falls on Sunday, June 19th this year - sending lots of Neighbour love to the Dads out there. Photo by Glenn Rodger Photography

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partners including local advertisers, retail outlets and various community centres. Views expressed by any contributor are not necessarily that of the Neighbour Media team.

Lynnette Lanning

Elisa Laxdal

llanning@neighbourmedia.ca 416-602-3395

elaxdal@neighbourmedia.ca

Myles Doak

Joanne Witt

mdoak@neighbourmedia.ca

jwitt@neighbourmedia.ca

• Not only does June 21st mark the beginning of Summer (the longest day of the year - make sure to get out and enjoy the sunshine), but it is also National Indigenous Peoples Day! Each month the Neighbour Paper will make you smile! If you have something you’d like to share or would like help promoting, please email llanning@neighbourmedia.ca Don’t forget to follow @NeighbourMedia on Instagram and Facebook for real time information and content sharing!

NEIGHBOUR COVER STORY Rebekah Murdoch As a child I grew up in a small, tightly-knit farming community, 2 hours East of Toronto. When I married and moved to York Region, I didn't even realize I was searching out that small town feeling and sense of community again, within a large parameter. People ask me how I know everyone and everything that is going on - simple! I read the local paper, look at the big signs on the main streets, say hello and smile to everyone I pass. I buy things at small businesses in my own neighbourhood, I volunteer at every opportunity, I take local parks & recreation programs and the easiest of all - I engage on social media. Jackie Playter

Rebekah Murdoch

I love being part of a community. My community, the Town Of Newmarket, is a very unique and interesting place to live. Belonging to a community is a wonderful feeling - walking down the street and saying “Hi” to everyone, helping people out when you can, sharing ideas and thoughts, volunteering with amazing organizations, shopping/supporting local and being a good neighbour. Community means so much to me! The more you give to your community, the more you get out of it and the more you grow to love and respect your neighbourhood. I have lived and worked in Newmarket for 55 years and I absolutely love it!

Jackie Playter Photos by Glenn Rodger Photography

Do you Believe in Old Age Myths? Five, what now can be called ’myths’ of aging, seem to persist: Myth 1: To be old is to be sick. Actually, most older people today are still able to live independently in their own homes until they reach a very advanced age. Myth 2: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, older people can easily make changes to improve their lives and situation. Myth 3: The secret to successful aging is to choose your parents wisely. Genetics are not the only factors determining how we age. The good news is that social and behavioural factors within our control also play an important role in shaping health and well being. Myth 4: The horse is out of the barn. Many people believe: ”It’s just too late” to do any good. Yet, we now understand that adopting healthy lifestyle behaviours can provide a real boost at any age. Myth 5: The elderly don’t pull their own weight. In reality, more and more older people today are attracted by what is called ”productive aging”, whether by extending years or paid employment or by engaging in productive roles in their families and communities. So, have you begun to alter your perception of the meaning of aging and your assumptions related to it? For advice about seniors and care at home, please contact Brian Porter, Director and Owner of Living Assistance Services: 416.483.0070 (office), 905.758.2486 (cell), b.porter@laservices.ca or visit livingassistance.ca / 華語服務客戶經理 : Helen Huang 華 : 416.880.6889 or h.huang@LAServices.ca

Partner:

The rainbow "Friendship Bench" located on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Newmarket, was built to commemorate Gillian Barker who worked with York Pride for over a decade and sadly passed away in 2020. “This bench is going to be the most perfect symbol of our work and the memories of Gillian,” York Pride spokesperson Jacob Gal told councillors at the unveiling event. “Main Street was Gillian’s favourite place,” Gal said. “She was always supporting local businesses in the downtown core.”

The first day of the Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair 2022 Season was held on May 7th. Welcome back to all of the vendors and patrons we are looking foward to seeing the community come together at the Aurora Town Park every Saturday until October!

Letter from

MAYOR TAYLOR Newmarket Open For Fun this Summer COVID is not over, but thanks to vaccines we are now able to live life more normally. After two years in lockdown, Newmarket is excited to offer a summer full of fun for everyone. We are thrilled to be once again offering our incredibly popular Thursday night cover band concerts at the Riverwalk. Moonlight Movies are also coming back to a park near you all summer. Thank you TD Bank for sponsoring the music and movie series! The York Region Pride Parade and Festival return in June welcoming people from all over the GTA to celebrate diversity and the LGBT2 community. We’ll kick off July with our Tim Hortons Canada Day events and fireworks, offering something for everyone and bringing us all together with pride in our country and a love of community.

MAIN STREET VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE newmarket.ca/virtualmainstreet

Discover local art & history while you stroll historic Main Street Starting May 28

Discover inspiring art in the windows of several Main Street businesses and hover your phone over the poster to unlock a wonderful historical video tour of the building.

We’ll wrap up the summer events season on September 9 with the Splash of Culture. This is one of my favorite events featuring classical and creative music right on the water at the Riverwalk. We know that people want to be out seeing their neighbours and enjoying amazing entertainment and that is why we are as excited as you to be offering a full slate of fun this summer right here in Newmarket – enjoy!

Collaboration and Partnerships were the key ingredient for the 2022 Mayor's Newmarket Chamber Lunch! Members of the community gathered at Old Town Hall to reconnect and listen to Mayor John Taylor inspire the room with his view on partnerships and collaboration and how they will propel Newmarket in 2022 and beyond.

Letter from

MAYOR MRAKAS Happy Pride Month, Aurora! Every year I am thrilled to proclaim June as Pride Month in the Town of Aurora as we celebrate what makes Aurora so special- its’ people. The Town of Aurora takes pride in our diversity and celebrates our differences. We work hard to ensure that people with diverse views, feelings, gender identification and culture all feel welcome and accepted in our community. But that work is not yet done, and Pride Month serves as an acknowledgement of both the strides and the struggles faced by our LGBTQ2S+ community. This month we will once again be raising the Pride Flag at Town Hall, an annual tradition that stands for unity, love and respect for all. Details with dates and times will be available at aurora.ca. Later this month, on June 18, myself, members of council and Town staff will also be marching in the York Pride Parade in Newmarket and look forward to seeing you there. It is always a great time and our Bylaw vehicle is getting its annual rainbow makeover so look for it there and around Town throughout the month! This summer our rainbow crosswalk at Yonge and Wellington – the first across York Region- will also be getting a refresh, as part of the intersection construction project, to ensure it continues to shine bright in our downtown core, a permanent symbol of our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming community for all. Lastly, I want to thank all our residents and Town staff who are helping us day in and day out to make sure that Aurora is a town open to everyone. Let’s remember today and every day that pride is not just one month. It’s a lifetime. So… Happy Pride Month to all!

You never know who will be serving Friday Night Dinner at the Aurora Legion! Friday April 22nd was pasta night and Mayor Tom Mrakas was there to serve it! Thanks to the students from Villanova College for helping out. auroralegion.ca

TOWN OF AURORA

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•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Spring & Summer 2022 Program Guide Our Spring & Summer 2022 Program Guide has arrived. Registrations are now open for Recreation and Aquatic Leadership programs. Registration starts on June 13 for Aquatic Learn to Swim summer programs. View the guide at aurora.ca/recguide. Pre-registration is required for registered programs and recommended for drop-in activities. Register online at aurora.ca/eplay or pay in-person at one of our recreation facilities (A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C.).

Summer Camps 2022 Program Guide Summer Camps are coming to Aurora! Our Summer Camps 2022 program guide has arrived. For full details, please visit aurora.ca/summercamps. Registrations are now open and pre-registration is required. Register online at aurora.ca/eplay or in-person at one of our recreation facilities (A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C.).

Seniors’ Centre Without Walls (SCWW) Seniors’ Centre Without Walls (SCWW) is a free community outreach program that allows adults and older adults to participate in seminars, fitness classes and games over the phone or through Zoom. View a schedule of dates and topics online at aurora.ca/scww.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: FOR MORE INFORMATION:

NEIGHBOURHOOD EVENTS

A FREE drop-in program for parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers age 0-4 yrs. Offering coffee/tea, healthy treats, gym time, craft time, storytime, parent social time and playtime. northridgesa.com

WHEN: Every Thursday in June, 10am-2pm WHERE: Northridge Community Church

Market Brewing's 5th Anniversary Party - This outdoor event is free to attend with live music from Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train, an F45 cardio workout, the Eatzza My Pizza food truck, New City Donuts, games, prizes, caricatures available on site, 3 beer cask releases and a few other surprises in store... You won't want to miss it! NewmarketsNeighbourhoodBrewery

WHEN: June 11, 11am - 5pm WHERE: Market Brewing Co.

This is a day of inspiration and fun. Enjoy a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces with a group of your friends. Ticket proceeds will support The Charitable Trust of CFUW Aurora/Newmarket Scholarship Program for young women pursuing post-secondary education. Get your tickets at eventbrite.ca

WHEN: June 18th, 10am - 4pm WHERE: Aurora, Newmarket, Stouffville

An evening of Barrelhouse Blues with Juno Award winning Artist Julian Fauth and Ken Yoshioka, at Old Town Hall! This Juno Concert Series is presented by Paradigm Events and sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Newmarket. For tickets, call the Box Office Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm at 905-953-5122 or go to newtix.ca

WHEN: June 9th, 6pm - 9:30pm WHERE: Newmarket Old Town Hall

A 2-day celebration of all things ‘craft’, featuring 10+ Ontario breweries, cideries and distilleries, as well as gourmet food options from local restaurants, caterers and food trucks, workshops, demos, activities and live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! communitycraftbeerfest.com

WHEN: June 17th - 18th WHERE: Machell Park

Unite in the streets with thousands of people in Newmarket on this special day to celebrate over 100 community groups, businesses, supporters and 2SLGBTQ+ advocates from York Region. Come cheer on nearly 2000 colourful participants and creative floats, marching groups and interactive displays of rainbow awesomeness! #ReConnect

WHEN: June 18th, 3pm - 5pm WHERE: Main Street, Newmarket

NEIGHBOURHOOD EVENTS

The Ontario Provincial Police, various local partners and Global Pet Foods (130 Davis Drive, Newmarket), have teamed up to raise awareness around pet safety and distracted driving. This is a free Pet Safety event with fun for the whole family - fur babies included! #SafetyFirst

WHEN: June 25th, 10am - 2pm WHERE: Global Pet Foods

Join the Little Rae Goods team in-store (477 Timothy Street) for an amazing summer party to celebrate their 2nd birthday! Some things to look forward to are... 40 loot bags full of amazing goodies to the first 40 families, ice cream, face painting from 10-11:30am, a visit from a super hero and prizes to be won including a Grapat Wild Set. @littleraegoods

WHEN: June 25th, 10am - 3pm WHERE: Little Rae Goods

RyGuy Comedy presents Brew HAHA Comedy Night, featuring headliner Allie Pearse! A beautiful marriage of delicious craft beer and hilarious comedy. Emcee Ryan Zeitz invites you to enjoy a talented new lineup of comedians; Moira Lepage, Patrick Russell and Anthony Ciardulli! To learn more or to get your tickets visit ryguycomedy.eventbrite.com

Join the Town of Newmarket for their annual Tim Hortons Canada Day Festival featuring; live concerts (Ear Candy and Blush), interactive activities for the whole family. roaming entertainment, buskers, vendors and more! Then head to George Richardson Park around 9pm for an amazing fireworks display! #Newmarket

WHEN: : June 23rd. Show starts at 7:30pm WHERE: Old Flame Brewery

WHEN: July 1st, 11am - 4pm WHERE: Riverwalk Commons

After the Parade at 10am on Yonge, the Town of Aurora's festivities will include live entertainment, children’s activities and a variety of food vendors to enjoy. Be sure to participate in the Town's Passport Activities (interactive activities for each Province & Territory), then enjoy back to back live bands and cap it all off with fireworks presented by Healthy Planet. #Aurora

Show your skills on the course and do it for a good cause! Your registation includeds 18 holes of golf, a cart, 2 meals/snacks, 3 drink tickets, entry to day-of contests and 2 additional rounds of golf! All proceeds from this event will go to supporting INN From The Cold. Please contact Martha to sign up: 905 895 8889 x 221 | info@innfromthecold.ca

WHEN: July 1st, 11am - 10:30pm WHERE: Lambert Willson Park

WHEN: July 6th, 8am - 4pm WHERE: Lebovic Golf Club

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce Home Show was back this year and was BIGGER and better than ever! On April 23rd & 24th the Stronach Recreation Centre was filled with community members and various home improvement, decor and protection businesses!

Did you know the Town of Aurora is home to Skinopathy? Skinopathy's mission is to provide accessible healthcare on demand for everyone, building technology that provides greater access to care, offers substantial administrative efficiencies and improved healthcare outcomes. The CFWI The Armoury hosted the Skinopathy Raise event on April 19th. @emergingaurora

Get your tickets www.communitycraftbeerfest.com

York Professional Pet Sitting & Dog Walking have brought Yappy Hour back to Market Brewing! This PAWsome event is on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 4-8pm at the brewery! It's a free and fun event welcome to all ages and of course to all pups that allows your fur friends to socialize with other doggos while you enjoy time with other dog lovers.

EMERGING

AURORA ‘Aurora has everything a young startup needs,” says Keith Loo, CEO and Co-Founder of Skinopathy, a medical technology company that is using AI and data to digitize the patient circle-of-care. “A litany of Captains of Industry, a bold Town Council ready to grow, and a vibrant community that makes you proud of where you live.’ - Keith Loo, Skinopathy

Established in the 1800s, Aurora is a growing town with the essence of new ideas, new technologies and constant learning.

What’s great is about to become exceptional! Learn more at aurora.ca/business

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Wonder What YOUR Home is Worth? Contact Us TODAY for Your Free Market Analysis Report!

SUSIE STROM

Sales Representative

KERRI FILLIER

Operations Manager

MELISSA POURGOUTZIDIS Licensed Client Coordinator

LINDSAY STROM Broker

LORRAINE MACDONALD Sales Representative

SHREEMA TALSANIA Broker

MARISSA WHITE

HEATHER KENNEDY

Sales Representative

CAROLINE BAILE Broker

www.KeyAdvantage.ca | info@KeyAdvantage.ca | 905.836.1212

HOW TO PAY FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATIONS Improvements can be pricey, but do not allow being unsure of how to pay for it keep you from renovating. Renovations are and excellent way to sell your home faster and for op dollar. Here are a few ideas to cover the costs of updating your home:

1. Savings

Many people dip into their savings accounts to pay for their home renovations, particularly if they are undergoing a minor update. If you do not want to go into debt renovating your home, set a date you would like to start your renovation and save whatever you can until then, including any windfalls.

2. Home equity line of credit

If you have equity in your home, a home equity line of credit allows you to borrow a portion of the total equity amount. Instead of making payments on the entire amount, you will make payments on the amount you have borrowed, similar to a credit card. A line of credit is ideal when you are not sure what the total cost of the project is, or if you anticipate that your borrowing needs may vary.

3. Home equity loan

These loans allow you to borrow against the value of your home. A home equity loan is different from a Home equity line of credit in that you borrow one lump sum and the payment is amortized over the terms of the loan, if you qualify. However, there are risks involved, such as the possibility of losing your home if you cannot make your payments and if you have to refinance, you are limited to a five to seven year term.

4. Personal loan

If you know how much your renovation will cost, a personal loan will give you a lump sum of money to use, which you will repay over an agreed-upon period of time.

5. Credit cards

If the project is small-scale or DIY, you may consider using your credit cards to pay for it. This method gives you an added benefit of accumulating points and rewards quickly. Additionally, your credit score may get a boost when the amount is paid back in a timely and responsible way. For real estate questions or for more information, please contact your Key Advantage Team: Susie Strom, Sales Representative 905.836.1212 | info@KeyAdvantage.ca | www.KeyAdvantage.ca

Key Advantage team hosted their "Community is Key" event on May 1st! An up-beat, pop-up market to inspire and connect local businesses with family, friends, colleagues and the community, in a unique way to shop, play and relax! @KeyAdvantageTeam

Partner:

CHILDCARE PROVIDERS NEEDED! LOVE Your Job! Stay at HOME & Earn an INCOME

35yrs They're baaaaack! The lovely folks at Goat Your Back returned to Market Brewing Co. on May 7th, hosting their famous Goat Yoga event! This outdoor event happened on the licensed grassy hill area out back at MB Co. Through this 45 minute session, attendees enjoyed some relaxing yoga, while interacting with the goats! It was an awesome experience that we highly recommend. Get your tickets for the June 5th event at marketbrewingco.com

On April 27th, Auxiliary Constable, Mohsen Behravesh was recognized for his 20 years of service by Inspector Chris Collins and Auxiliary Sgt. Mitch Porteous. Mohsen started his volunteer service at the Toronto Detachment and is now serving with the Aurora Unit on Bloomington. He has been a great asset, running seat belt/baby seat clinics and being the driving force for the Aurora Food Drive campaigns. This is in addition to putting his time in on the road, assisting the Aurora Officers. Truly a tremendous accomplishment that is appreciated by the unit, the police service and the community. #GoodNeighbour

May 7th marked the Opening Day of the Newmarket Farmers Market 2022 season! It was fantastic to see so many people out supporting our local businesses. Some of our incredible community leaders, including Mayor John Taylor, Tony Van Bynen and Bob Kwapis, were out with their families and friends enjoying the market.

The Aurora Tigers made 3 big announcements on May 13th at Aurora Town Hall - one of which was HISTORIC. 1. The Aurora Tigers Jr. A Team has a new team sponsor, Serpa Automotive Boutique! 2. The Team Captain for the upcoming season will be Van Weelie! And finally... 3. Jim Thomson, the Owner of the Aurora Tigers, announced Sierra Costa as the new GM for the team. Sierra is the FIRST Female GM in the Jr. A organization. #pavingtheway

April 30th was Independent Bookstore Day! Bookworms & Co. hosted a day of fun activities, including having some local authors come by to sign their books. bookwormsco.com

Everyone LOVES a Pop-Up event... especially when it includes shopping and everything is only $10!!! This Grand Opening event at Royal Rose Gallery on April 28th was just the kickoff of this incredible Pop-Up experience. All throughout May and into June, Abuse Hurts is selling shoes, handbags, clothes and accessories from this location, with 100% of the proceeds being donated back to @abusehurts

On April 23rd Neighbour Media was honoured to be one of the Judges for the Newmarket Optimist Club Zone Oratorical Contest. This years topic was "Staying Optimistic in Challenging Times". Congratulations to all the competitors - they are all winners for such incredible oral presentations. The two individuals moving on to the District Competition are Jack and Serena as they finished 1st & 2nd, with an honourable mention to Harroop! The Optimist Club supports youth in our community. If you would like to find out more about how you can become an Optimist Club member visit newmarketoptimists.club.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

FEATURED BUSINESSES

The Gown 17665 Leslie St. Unit 23, Newmarket @thegownbridalboutique @GownNewmarket www.thegown.ca At The Gown we believe that every bride deserves to have an amazing bridal shopping experience. We commit ourselves to bringing a sense of ease and comfort to our bridal appointments. Along with kindness and exceptional customer care, our highly trained and educated staff (a.k.a. “Gown Girls”) are here to provide our brides with a fun and memorable experience that they will remember for years to come. Our gorgeous and carefully curated collection of designer wedding gowns is chosen specifically with our brides in mind, and the understanding of how important it is for every bride to feel confident and beautiful on their special day. We are known for our warm and welcoming energy, our elegant private suites, our knowledgeable, caring staff and for creating a positive space for brides to shop with confidence! We can’t wait to welcome you, your family and friends to the Gown, and help you find the Wedding Dress of your dreams!

Bella Aurora Café 15242 Yonge Street, Aurora Open 7 days a week, from 9am - 8pm (905) 503-6333 Bella Aurora Café is located just steps from the heart of downtown Aurora’s main intersection, at the corner of Yonge Street and Wellington Street. They feature quality coffees, authentic Belgian waffles, crepes, smoothies, ice cream, baked goods, snacks and a variety of light meal options. Robert Ayoub and his team pride themselves on offering a clean, vibrant and welcoming space for the people of the neighbourhood to come and enjoy! Google Review from Natalie Procopio “Wonderful atmosphere and super great staff! Not to mention the coffee, food and tasty treats are great. It's very clean, professional and has a warm, vibrant, relaxing vibe to it. There's also lots of space so that even if it's nearly full you don't feel crowded as the tables are far enough apart. I love the options on the menu and the super kind owner and staff make you feel so welcome and relaxed. It was so lovely to come here with other members of the community to enjoy ourselves in such a friendly and welcoming setting.”

Eat, Drink and Play IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Newmarket Riverwalk Commons Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons is located outside the Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Hall at 200 Doug Duncan Drive. It features an outdoor stage and is host to various Newmarket events all year long. Some notable events include Music in the Park, Moonlight Movies, Kanata Summer Festival, Winter Wonderland, the Newmarket Ice Lounge and more. This beautiful community space also features the Tim Hortons Skating at the Water Feature. In the winter months, the area becomes an outdoor ice rink and in the summer months, it is an outdoor water feature!

Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Hall The Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Hall is in the heart of downtown Newmarket, surrounded by community gathering place, Riverwalk Commons. The community centre facility is accessible, smoke-free and licensed under the L.L.B.O., with four halls available to rent for banquets, parties, meetings or other social functions. For more information about the Community Centre & Lions Hall, please visit newmarket.ca or directly contact the Town of Newmarket 905-895-5193 | the Community Centre 905-953-5302.

Upcoming Events: Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday, May - October, 8am - 1pm Father’s Day Walkathon in support of Canadian Centre for Men and Families, YR: June 19th Tim Hortons Canada Day 2022 - Kanata Festival: July 1st, 11am - 4pm TD Newmarket Music Series: Every Thursday from July 7th - September 1st, 6pm - 9pm July 7 - Hotel California (the original Eagles tribute) Opening: The Beresfords July 14 - Dwayne Gretzky (bringing to life the greatest songs of all time) Opening: Aysanabee July 21 - Wannabe (a Spice Girls tribute) Opening: Bianca Rollo Band July 28 - Green River Revival (Canada's amazing tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival & John Fogerty) Opening: Bernadette Connors August 4 - Fleetwood Mac Mania (North America's top tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks) Opening: Lacey Hill August 11 - Exodus (a tribute to Bob Marley) Opening: Lyle Kam August 18 - ABBA Revisited (a tribute to ABBA) Opening: Blush August 25 - Blushing Brides (the original tribute to the Rolling Stones) Opening: Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train September 1 - Sounds of Motown (greatest songs of the Motown era) Opening: David Toms

Thank you to Neighbour Partner Chris Cartwright and Team for supporting this month’s Eat, Drink & Play page! We appreciate your love and support of the community.

teamcartwright.ca

Eat, Drink and Play IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD The Aurora Town Park Purchased from John Mosley in 1867, the Town Park has been a focus of community activity for many years. At the northeast corner is the drill shed built in 1874 for the 12th Battalion, York Rangers. That same year, the Hon. Edward Blake delivered his “Aurora Speech” there to launch the Canada First movement, an early example of Canadian nationalism. Facing the park on the west side is Wells Street School which was used as the Aurora High School from 1923 to 1952, replacing an earlier building on the site. The park itself has served as a parade ground and sports field as well as the location for important community events such as Victoria Day celebrations, fairs, markets and the Aurora Horse Show. - Town of Aurora Heritage Committee (LACAC) 1997

Upcoming Events: Farmer’s Market & Artisan Fair: Every Saturday, May - October, 8am - 1pm Canada Day • Dance in the Park: June 30th, 7pm - 11pm, Aurora Town Park • Canada Day Parade: July 1st, 10am, Yonge Street • Canada Day Festivities: July 1st, 11am - 10:30pm, Lambert Willson Park Concerts in the Park – 25th Anniversary: 6pm - 9pm • July 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th • August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st The concert line-up will be released in June - visit aurora.ca/summerconcerts Movies in the Park: August 18th, 25th and September 1st The movie line-up will be available in July - visit aurora.ca/moviesinthepark If you have a movie suggestion, please email sware@aurora.ca

Your seats are waiting for you…

NEIGHBOURHOOD Charity Highlight Propelled by our community, we are driven to be passionate and committed to empowering people through meaningful whole-life experiences. York Pride is one of the biggest regional pride events in Ontario. We continue to celebrate the power and beauty of diversity in one of Canada’s most vibrant and growing regions. Our Mission is to organize 2SLGBTQ+ Pride initiatives through arts & culture to promote equality/inclusivity, reduce homophobia, improve health/wellbeing, create safe social opportunities, engendering self-esteem & community engagement, within York Region.

June York Pride Events Raise the Pride Flag around the region with us! June 1st - 30th Pride Launch Party at Market Brewing Co. June 3rd, 6pm-11:30pm Pride on Riverwalk at Newmarket Riverwalk Common June 18th, 12pm - 11:55pm York Pride Parade on Main Street, Newmarket June 18th, 3pm - 5pm Toodle-Pip Party - location TBA June 30th, 6pm - July 1st, 12am

OBJECTIVES • • • •

Continue to create opportunities for our community to experience unity Celebrate, encourage and welcome the diversity of our community Commemorate education and understand the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in York Region Continue to strengthen voices and support the advocacy of the community

WE WILL • • • •

Provide enriched educational and social programming that inspire transformational experiences Include and encourage representation of all people through outreach to underrepresented groups Create a platform for celebrating and promoting arts that are reflective of our core values Partner with organizations and institutions to deliver relevant, "real stories" and experiences reflective of the history and current landscape of the 2SLGBTQ community

@yorkprideca www.yorkpride.ca | #ReConnect | 905-235-3186

Thank you to Neighbour Partner Wasim Jarrah for supporting this month’s Charity Highlight page! We appreciate your commitment to community and charity.

Mobile 416-899-5566 www.WasimJarrah.com

A BIG Neighbour Congratulations to Oakridge's Fashions on their new location in the heart of Downtown Aurora! Oakridge’s Fashions has been in business for 25 years and is looking forward to another 25 years. #ShopLocal

The Newmarket Farmer's Market is every Saturday from 8am - 1pm all summer long at Riverwalk Commons!

During the May 15th weekend, the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce hosted the LOVE LOCAL Home Show & Festival at the Ray Twinney Complex! Admission was FREE thanks to the folks at Kempenfelt Windows & Doors. What a fantastic community event!

The Town of Aurora first-ever Electric Vehicle Showcase happened on Sunday, May 1st! The community was invited to drop by and meet experts, see charging demos, explore electric vehicles, and even test drive some of the latest models!

On April 28th, RyGuy Comedy presented Brew HAHA Comedy Night at Old Flame Brewing Co. featuring headliner Christophe Davidson! A beautiful marriage of delicious craft beer and hilarious comedy with emcee Ryan Zeitz and comedians Sarah Boston, Sai Kit and Ryan Beverage!

On April 30th the communtiy gathered at Market Brewing Co. for the "Drag Yourself Out For Drinks" event! Brought to you by Devereaux Dolls, this evening was overflowing with fun! Photo Credit: Glenn Rodger Photography

Hundreds came out and took part in the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake this year. The walk/run was a huge success and the community support we saw as they resumed an in-person event was overwhelming. Thank you to all of the participants who ran, walked, fundraised, and pledged for Southlake hospital ($248,115 raised!!), supporting leading edge care, close to home. Save The Date: Sunday, April 30, 2023

Michael Parsa MPP Candidate for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill was “winging” it with the Aurora Legion volunteers serving up Wings & Fries on Friday April 29th. #GoodNeighbour

NEIGHBOURHOOD PETS WANT TO SEE YOUR PETS ON THIS PAGE? Send us their photos, names and short bios in an email or direct message. - Stoli

Rosie

Bruno

Georgie Girl

George

Marmalade & Farfel

Hudson

Hi! I’m Rosie! I’m an 8 year old little darling, who has two older feline siblings. When I moved to Aurora, I was gifted this gorgeous crotchet sofa!! What a great housewarming gift!!!

George is a 3 year old Golden Doodle that grew up at Market Brewing. He loves long walks, sleeping in bed with his parents, leaving the room when his baby brother cries, playing hockey and socializing with his dog pals and human friends too!

I'm the furry face you see when you visit Royal Rose Gallery. My name is Bruno! I'm still a puppy and very well behaved, I love people and getting lots of love from them. I hope you visit me soon!

We’re Marmalade and Farfel. We’re bonded 12 year old soul mates who never leave each other’s side! We were rescued as one year old strays living on the street, and now live in the lap of luxury with our younger feline sister Rosie!

Hi I’m Georgie Girl. I’m a mini-Goldendoodle. I’m learning agility; I love to romp and play with other dogs and my humans. I possess such a joie de vivre I can be exhausting.

Hi friends!! I'm Hudson. I just turned 1 on May 21st and my mom was rescued from the Alberta wild fires! I love to dig holes in my dad's fresh grass and never say no to an ice cube. I'm also a big nap guy - unless my fur friends are around...

On May 11th, McDonald’s restaurants in Newmarket and Aurora joined more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants across the country to celebrate the 28th McHappy Day! On this day a portion of proceeds from every McDonald’s menu item sold went to Ronald McDonald HouseCharities - Toronto Branch, as well as a portion of the funds raised from the EG, Newmarket and Aurora locations, was donated to Southlake Regional Health Centre. To help celebrate this special day, a variety of special guests, including York Regional Police, Central York Fire services, politicians and other local businesses, showed up at the restaurants to serve the community and to help further fundraise! Thank you to EVERYONE who supported McHappy Day 2022.

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newmarketchamber.ca

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT MILESTONE MEMBERS If there’s one thing we’ve learned over these past two years, it’s how amazing our members are at the Newmarket Chamber! Member support means we can continue to offer exceptional programs and services to help our member businesses grow and thrive. So, we want to say thank you to all of our member businesses that continue to be part of our growing network. This new monthly Member Spotlight is meant to showcase various members and thank them for being such an important part of our Chamber community. We thought our first spotlight should shine on a few ‘MILESTONE MEMBERS’ who have been part of our Chamber family for years!

Barbara Sitko Kwapis (Broker) Norman Hill Realty Inc. Brokerage 10 YEAR CHAMBER MEMBER Barbara’s tagline is “I love my job’ and she really does mean it! Her enthusiasm for life and real estate is infectious. Barbara is a creative and self-motivated realtor with a strong background in sales, marketing and project management, who prides herself on working for you with honesty, integrity and respect. Congratulations and thank you Barbara, for being part of the Chamber for 10 years!

Neighbourhood Network 12 YEAR CHAMBER MEMBER! Neighbourhood Network is a department of Magna International, with a vision of building better communities together. The organization has become an integral part of our communities in the Region by promoting volunteerism, linking resources, and supporting local charities and agencies. Congratulations Neighbourhood Network and thank you for being part of the Chamber for 12 years!

Brad Jones Martial Arts & Fitness 15 YEAR CHAMBER MEMBER! Both Brad Jones and his Karate Do are fixtures in Newmarket and on Main Street. Brad Jones Martial Arts and Fitness is a traditional JKA Shotokan Karate dojo and how is this for cool—they’ve been recognized as one of the Top 500 Martial Arts Schools in North America! They also offer Aikido, Fitness Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, T'ai Chi, Kendo, Kali and Zen Meditation classes. Brad opened the Dojo in 1976, moved to his Main Street location in 2004 and we’re proud to say, has been a member of the Chamber community for 15 years! Congratulations Brad Jones and thank you!

Newmarket Massage Therapy 21 YEAR CHAMBER MEMBER! Stewart and Nicole opened the doors to Newmarket Massage Therapy Clinic 22 years ago and haven’t looked back! Through their dedication, passion and expertise, the husband-and-wife duo has grown their clinic to a team of 9 providing advanced therapeutic and relaxation massage therapy and manual osteopathy for clients of all ages. And one thing’s for sure, when you visit Stewart, Nicole, or any of their team, you’re guaranteed to be greeted with a big smile in a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment. Did we mention they’ve been Newmarket Chamber members for 21 years?! Congratulations Stewart and Nicole and thank you for being part of our Chamber community!

NEIGHBOURHOOD SPORTS

“Overpower. Overtake. Overcome.” - Serena Williams

Sport Aurora All Sport One Day Program

The Aurora King Baseball Father’s Day Classic Baseball Tournament

Register NOW for June 11th and September 24th Full Day or Half Day Programs. Come out and TRY A SPORT! Register at www.sportaurora.ca and look for the ASOD under our programs! All Sport One Day is an inclusive multi-sport, multi-environment concept to let people from ages 6 – 18 years at all skill levels participate in a ‘playful’ environment with trained instructors from Sport Aurora Organizations.

To be held on Friday June 17th at the Aurora Town Park and June 18th & 19th at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex. Bring your Father out for a weekend of Baseball FUN! Come out and support the Aurora King Baseball Association as 16 teams age U9 AA teams come in from all over the Region to play in this tournament. Stay tuned in the next edition of the Neighbour Paper for more information on the AKBA tournament July 8-10, 2022 for their U10AA and U10A teams.

• Try a new Sport or enjoy what you like. 4 sports in the morning, 4 sports in the afternoon • No need for equipment purchase. • No obligation to register for a long Program. • No pressure-just fun! • Maybe you’ll fall in love with a new activity!

Pick up your Sport Aurora Dining Guide

On Saturday May 14th, Newmarket Baseball celebrated its 2022 Opening Day Ceremonies. The day was filled with festivities and hundreds of attendees, including members of the rep and house league divisions, local baseball fans, members of the Newmarket Town Council and Mayor Taylor - who threw out the first pitch! Good luck this season to all of the teams - including the U13 AAA Newmarket Hawks. Let’s Play Ball!

A part of Sport Aurora’s Concierge Program, it provides timely and relevant information and assistance to visitors to our community when they visit. Including accommodations, facility locations and services, availability of food and beverage, location and description of collateral local events and activities that make their visit rewarding. Safety and security concerns are addressed, as well as medical/emergency support. Non-sport town features, such as Local restaurants, make them feel welcome and provide opportunities to explore while visiting - providing visitors with a better overall sport experience. The Dining Guide will be available at our Hotels and Aurora facilities as we welcome these families into Aurora. Also available digitally to all teams upon registering their teams. We are here to help support our SPORTS! www.sportaurora.ca

Congratulations to The York North Basketball Association U19 Girls and Coach Perlmutter for winning Gold at the Provincial Championships.

Shout out to all of the #goodneighbours, Town Councillors, staff and volunteers that participated in the Newmarket Community Clean Up on Saturday May 7th!

The Aurora Black Community Association hosted an evening of Cross Cultural Conversation with Moms on May 13th. 20 moms representing over 10 different cultures gathered for an evening of pampering and then dinner and sharing at Romy’s Restaurant & Lounge. aurorablackcommunity.com

It was all hands on deck on May 6th at the Aurora Legion for Friday night Fish & Chips dinner! MPP Candidate Newmarket-Aurora Dawn Gallagher Murphy was there to help reel in the hungry patrons. It was great to see so many “neighbours” at the Legion enjoying each other’s company and a delicious meal.

The annual Pine Tree Potters Guild sale returned to Newmarket's Old Town Hall from April 28th-30th! The sale featured a large selection of beautiful handmade pottery from more than 25 Pine Tree members. Learn more by visiting pinetreepotters.ca

The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mix & Mingle at the Madison Greenhouse Event Venue was a huge success! Old friends reconnected and new friendships were made. Thank you Newmarket Chamber for being so supportive and for keeping the business community connected!

These Kingway Residents participated in the Aurora Community Cleanup Day on April 23rd! Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help clean and beautify the Town. This year over 1 Tonne of waste was collected from our parks, trails and community! Stay tuned for details on next years event.

Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Ontario PC Candidate for Newmarket-Aurora, stopped by new local business Fair Chance Learning, located at 221 Main Street S. in Newmarket. You can learn more about Martha and her team, as well as the educational programs they offer at fairchancelearning.com

The Aurora Farmer's Market & Artisan Fair is every Saturday from 8am - 1pm all summer long at the Town Park!

The Revolution Now Launch Event that was on April 23rd at Market Brewing Co. $1400 was raised for Urban Promise Toronto and $2200 for Gwekwaadziwin. It was a sold out event and tons of fun!

Neighbour Shout-Out to the Keller Williams Newmarket & Aurora Teams! May 12th was the their annual RED DAY where all the employees give back to the community! The Aurora & Newmarket Teams washed cars all day in support of the Shine Through the Rain Foundation! #neighboursgivingback

FOR OUR

NEIGHBOURS

Hey Neighbours! This page is for you to enjoy each month. We will be featuring games, puzzles, contests, giveaways and so much more. You can also follow our social media accounts to stay up to date and to potentially receive some hints to help you solve future puzzles. @NeighbourMedia

IT’S TIME FOR SOME FRIENDLY COMPETITION… GRAB A FRIEND, A PARENT, YOUR CHILD OR A NEIGHBOUR AND CHALLENGE THEM TO A CLASSIC GAME OF TIC-TAC-TOE!

Get to Know YOUR NEIGHBOURS Dr. Samantha Duncan Chiropractor at Summerview Medical Center

How long have you lived in the community? Almost 28 years now. I was born and raised in Aurora! I realized how much I loved this community, and decided to start my practice here. What is your favourite food? Hands down…PASTA. If there is penne-alla-vodka on the menu, it is a safe bet that I will order it! What is your favourite season (winter, spring, summer, fall), and why? Fall - The leaves changing colours, the weather is not too hot but not too cold, turtle necks, pumpkin carving… Netflix or a night out? Netflix - I am always a sucker for a good Rom-Com. What is your favourite sport? Do you play for any local teams? I enjoy many sports, but my favourite sport to watch and play is Hockey (GO LEAFS GO!). You can find me at the rink playing in the women's league through Central York Girls Hockey .

Parm Bhullar

Owner End of the Roll Carpet Newmarket How long have you lived in the community? I’ve lived in Aurora for 18 years. Aurora is an incredible place to live, the people are so kind. What is your favourite food? Butter Chicken & Rice. My wife is an excellent cook, everything she makes is delicious. Where is your favourite place to go in the community? I’m a golfer and Aurora has some incredible courses. St Andrews Golf Course is my favourite. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive who would it be? It would be Tiger Woods. I would really like to hear his golf tips. What is your favourite beverage? When I have time to enjoy a beverage I like having a Scotch with my neighbours. .

Joanne Witt Your Neighbour

What is your favourite beverage? I love the refreshers at Starbucks! My favourite is the Strawberry Acai Refresher with lemonade. How long have you lived in the community? My husband and I have lived in Aurora for 12 years. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I love being near the water, so I would love to live somewhere where I have easy access to water, like Hawaii! What are your top 3 favourite movies? Regarding Henry, Moana and Sisters. How do you give back or pay-it-forward within the community? I love volunteering, which is such a wonderful way to give back. I like to help organize events, volunteer at events and do anything I can to help throughout the community, like taking part in tree planting, clean ups and more!

Want to be featured on this page? Email us and we will introduce you to the neighbourhood!

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