Woodstock is growing, so 2 Woodstock schools to receive additions

Southside School on Parkinson Road already has fencing around schoolyard

Ste Marguerite Bourgeoys also to receive more classrooms soon

By Mark Schadenberg

Three schools in Woodstock are bursting at the seams and it appears two in that trio will soon receive expansions.

As the rocker Meatloaf must belted out – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad.

Losing out in this round of new bricks and mortar appears to be Roch Carrier French Immersion, which is the previous Hillcrest school at Belgrave and Cromwell streets.

In the south end of Woodstock between Albert Street and Parkinson Road, the Southside School is receiving several brand new classrooms, a new gymnasium, and more learning spaces  – an addition which likely should have happened five years ago as streets like Champlain and Frontenac – all with young families --  have appeared near the new hospital.

Drawings of the Southside expansion are included here, and the digging and concrete trucks will not be far away as the school yard is already fenced off. According to items I discovered online, Southside was built in 1956.

In Woodstock, several schools have closed in recent times – Princess, Victoria, Broadway, and Chapel in the Thames Valley public board, and St. Rita’s, St. Joe’s, and St. Mary’s in the separate system.  

Meanwhile, after years of residential growth south of Parkinson a permanent addition is finally arriving at Southside after a lengthy time of having (what appears to be) half the school’s classrooms in portables.

If you do not have children attending Southside you can still read the school’s newsletters online as they offer updates to parents, which included an open house meeting to look at the architect plans. If appears to be exciting times at Southside School.

More SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL Drawings

ECOLE STE MARGUERITE BOURGEOYS

At the opposite end of Woodstock, the French-only school, which is combined as both Notre Dame high school (Grades 7 - 12) and a JK-6 elementary Marguerite Bourgeoys school is already crowded after opening its doors in 2011 on Bristol Avenue at the east end of Devonshire. Currently, the school has a portable-pack with 5 classrooms and an additional 6 individual portables, so that campus is receiving a 2-storey addition soon with drawings already circulated via the school’s Facebook page and parent-teacher association meetings.

With the school already featuring a large double gym and a second gym/cafeteria, the addition will be 8 classrooms.

Naturally, it’s impossible to receive funding for a new school based on anticipated (or a future hopeful level of) population, as Marguerite Bourgeoys is an example of a terrific success story as it educates children in a French-only environment and in the process is creating fully bilingual students.

I believe it’s unfortunate that the school’s management didn’t convert the previous location on Huron Street and convert it into the high school, but that building has since been sold and torn down, including the modern gymnasium there. A proposed subdivision of low density residential is now on the drawing board.

NORTH WOODSTOCK

In the north end of Woodstock there is a somewhat reversal of fortunes as children in the Sally Creek and Alder Grange subdivisions ride a bus northward to Hickson Public School. Eventually, and it will be sooner rather than later, the Thames Valley public school board will have to accommodate the expanding north-of-Pittock area with a new school. 

There is a link below to a story noting that as many as 300 schools across the province could be closed based on results of accommodation reviews.

In Oxford, Princeton and Beachville no longer have K-8 schools, while both Ingersoll and Tillsonburg have seen shifts in school populations including the new Laurie Hawkins school in Garnet Elliott Park.

There are obviously hundreds of former tiny rural schools scattered around the province which have been converted into homes.

LINKS:
http://www.cscprovidence.ca/

http://www.tvdsb.ca/sitemap.cfm?sitemappage=95

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1004031

http://london.ctvnews.ca/parents-head-to-queen-s-park-to-protest-how-rural-schools-are-funded-1.3169506

http://www.lfpress.com/2017/03/28/trustees-to-vote-next-month-on-plan-to-shutter-elgin-and-middlesex-elementary-schools

https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/01/22/rural-ontario-school-closings-hit-communities-hard.html

August 2015:

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2015/08/more-portables-added-to-french-school.html

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.royallepagetriland.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

Linda Torkelson named Relay For Life's 2017 local Community Champion

Norwich-area resident is a breast cancer survivor and dedicated CCS volunteer

Torkelson believes strongly in local initiatives such as Wheels Of Hope volunteer drivers

By Mark Schadenberg

The Relay For Life committee in Woodstock didn’t have to look too far to find its ‘Community Champion’ for 2017.

A community champion is someone who dedicates many hours as a volunteer, but is also a spokesperson for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) cause and Linda Torkelson fits both categories.

The Norwich-area resident is a cancer survivor and has been a member of the organizing committee for several years, including as chair of the sub-committee to plan happenings around the survivors’ tent.

Linda Torkelson

As a cancer survivor, Linda has the compassion and empathy to assist anyone at the survivors’ tent and is always very proud to also participate in the survivors’ lap at Relay, which is a walk about camaraderie and conquering cancer, a lap of yellow t-shirts marking the end of the opening ceremony.

The survivors’ tent recently added a noteworthy idea. Various colours of sand representing various types of cancer are poured into a large vase by those in attendance who have defeated cancer. The layered vase is very symbolic.

The empathy role on the survivors’ committee is integral as many participating at Relay For Life are continuing treatments and Linda is quick to supply encouragement.

On Heart FM, Torkelson talked about current CCS educational and volunteer projects on both the national and local level, and looked back at a significant CCS accomplishment.

"Like the Wheels of Hope, driving cancer patients to and from their cancer appointment, the peer support program and also advocacy on the national level. It's amazing, we advocated for a smoke-free workplace and we achieved that, that's a testimony of what Relay For Life is and what the Canadian Cancer Society does," she said. 

You will be able to watch Linda Torkelson on the Rogers TV show Daytime Oxford.
http://rogerstv.com/media?lid=237&rid=15&gid=276985
Here’s Linda’s story. . .

Linda will appear this week on Daytime Oxford on Rogers TV

By Linda Torkelson

Printed with permission.

My life after cancer - after being diagnosed with breast cancer when our daughter was only 10 months old, my life changed or at least was redirected. A new house, new baby and getting back into the work force; these were life changing elements within themselves. Throw cancer into the mix and you have one stunned, emotional, worried new mother, not knowing what is going to happen.
Doctors telling you about your prognosis and options for treatment, a husband that is alarmed, angry and panicked; parents that just want to hold you like you were five; family and friends that are just as stunned and scared, -- all seeking to find the words to console.

Actually, people from all directions were aiming to help in some way.

What will I do? How do I carry on? What's next?
Well, I asked for help; first from God then from my family and friends. If you know me, then you know I can be a little obstinate but this was something that I could not do alone and I think giving people the opportunity to help gave them an ease about the entire diagnosis and how to approach me directly.
I'm not a shy person, or at least not anymore. I have been from the very beginning open about this journey, which I infallibly did not ask or want to travel on, but here I am.

How I approached cancer, head on, would assist how I was going to beat cancer and live with all that it bestowed upon me.
Staying alive is absolute and when something threatens it without your consent, the warrior in you with baring teeth and fists clenched is revealed.

I had a daughter that needed a mother. I was not going to show her what defeat looked like.

I had a husband that needed to know that I was going to be around to help raise her. We had dreams and cancer put a wrench into those but that was not going to break or prevent us from living life.
I didn't know what was in store from one day to the next and grasping for some kind of control can be exhausting. Living a life with purpose and hope -- without fear -- is my goal and I can only pray that others can feel the same way after a cancer diagnosis. I am also not immune to facts that cancer takes lives. I have seen friends and family die from this disease, notably my niece of 35 last September from pancreatic cancer; it devastates. 
The Canadian Cancer Society can give hope; from prevention and awareness to research. From information and support the CCS is there. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca 
Cancer Changes Everything. So Can You.

This is why I Relay.

LINKS: 

http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/community-champion-announced-for-woodstock-relay-for-life/

www.cancer.ca

http://www.cancer.ca/en/support-and-services/support-services/transportation-on/?region=on

Don't Forget

Information Night

Wednesday, May 3

Plan to attend if you would like to #AcceptTheBaton 

and join Relay For Life

I'm co-chair of Relay For Life 2017 in Woodstock

Join my team by registering on-line

www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock

and look up the Royal LePage Triland team.

#AcceptTheBaton. See you at Relay on June 9

Call me for more details anytime at 537-1553

Website www.cometothecrossroads.com promotes doing business in Woodstock

City Of Woodstock economic development office is also a member of a regional promotions alliance

Read about another new business for 'The Friendly City' under construction currently by Woodstock's Sierra General Contracting

By Mark Schadenberg

The website www.cometothecrossroads.com is a great advertisement for doing business in Woodstock and certainly also in Oxford County.

As a Woodstock Realtor, I know that when you promote Oxford as a destination, you’re promoting Woodstock equally.

Our local economy is strong in the automotive sector, which translates into strength in car parts and logistics. If your market relies on transport trucks to traverse the 401 and 403 crossroads, than soon your market will attract more companies which sell and service heavy duty trucks.

GERRY’S TRUCK CENTRE IS EXPANDING TO WOODSTOCK

When I talked to Rob Wardle (dealer manager) of Gerry’s Truck Centre he was the first to compliment the efforts of Brad Hammond and Len Magyar of the Woodstock economic development office in selecting Woodstock as the site for their Volvo dealership for sales and service. Gerry’s Truck Centre will continue its London location, but currently under construction on Parkinson Road is a brand new 6-bay 14,000 square foot building.

To add to the great news about the increasing employment base in Woodstock is the fact that Woodstock’s Sierra Construction (Sierra General Contracting) is building Gerry’s Truck Centre.

Check out the website for the City of Woodstock and in particular the www.cometothecrossroads.com to learn about many good news items of the recent past and on the horizon.

The Woodstock economic development office promotes local real estate as its website has a list of commercial listings. Naturally, the City must also advertise its land for future development whether it be on Devonshire at the front door steps to Toyota, or in Commerce Way, Pattullo Ridge or Bysham Park . . . the municipality itself owns over 400 acres of serviced industrial land which means you could be building in 2017 in Woodstock. Our municipality is a great place for a warehouse or manufacturing facility with its in-the-middle (crossroads of 401 and 403) proximity to Toronto, Windsor, and Niagara.

Below: Pages 6 and 7 from latest Woodstock Chamber of Commerce magazine

The ‘crossroads’ website also includes the most recent newsletters, building permit reports, demographic statistics, maps and overhead photos, city guidelines for development charges, and links to videos promoting Woodstock and Oxford County.

With southern Ontario as an ideal place to do business, Woodstock’s duo of Hammond and Magyar are also key members of SOMA – the Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance. I remember writing about the SOMA-sponsored trip to Japan to attract industry (see link), and as I noted above new economic benefits for Woodstock, also assist other SOMA members such as Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, Stratford, St Thomas and Aylmer and . . . vice sersa.

The SOMA website – in some areas – is even more comprehensive than the Woodstock crossroads site as many sectors of the current economy are listed, and there are links to acquiring more information on each member centre.

For Woodstock and ‘cometothecrossroads’ ongoing promotion, it was noted in their 2016 year-in review newsletter that Firestone celebrated its 80th anniversary in Woodstock, the Hino trucks plant had an expansion, Steel Technologies also expanded, Norwell Dairy Systems built a brand new building, a new commercial plaza was constructed at the corner of Mill and Main streets, Ontario Refrigerated Services opened its doors in Commerce Way, and also that a chicken hatchery had selected Woodstock as the city it wanted to build in.

The Woodstock Economic Advisory Committee includes mayor Trevor Birtch, city council member Shawn Shapton (www.integrashredding.ca), the Hammond and Magyar connection, plus 8 local business people. 

In a previous blog I had noted that Magyar and Hammond were spotted at the Future Oxford Expo on April 20th at the Woodstock Fairgrounds. The Woodstock economy certainly relies on agriculture (Lely, Bright Cheese House, Springbank Cheese, ADM Nutrition, Agribrands Purina, Sysco, the previously noted Norwell Dairy and Thames River Hatchery, and many others) and urban businesses. Among the contingent of exhibitors at the Expo were the folks from Rural Oxford EDC (www.roedc.ca). Oxford has three municipalities (Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg) and five townships, so the rural base of economic growth also has an ‘open door’ policy on attracting new business to perhaps Thamesford, Drumbo, Hickson, Tavistock, Norwich, Sweaburg, Innerkip, Embro, Salford, Mt. Elgin, Burgessville, Plattsville and even Punkeydoodles Corner.  

Rural Oxford Economic Development uses the slogan People Proximity Prosperity, and you could add the word ‘progressive’ as Oxford is most certainly a leader in agriculture and rural technology.  

LINKS:
www.cometothecrossroads.com

www.cityofwoodstock.ca

www.somasite.com

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2017/04/future-oxford-expo-was-held-on-april-20.html

www.roedc.ca

www.investingersoll.ca

www.tillsonburg.ca

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2016/10/wasbec-is-woodstock-office-assisting.html

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2016/05/vuteq-is-significant-contributor-to.html

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2016/04/hino-celebrates-10-years-by-announcing.html

2015 Japan trip blog:

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2015/11/len-magyar-on-plane-to-japan-to-promote.html

= = = = = = = = = = = = =

All content compiled by: 

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

Planning any type of move to Woodstock, contact me.

 

Summer Company grants are a possibility for your proposed business

Funding can assist someone under 29 with their business idea

Woodstock & Area Small Business Centre is at 453 Dundas in Woodstock 

By Mark Schadenberg

Whether your small business has existed for several years or if you have a great idea for a new business locally, the Woodstock & Area Small Business Centre (WASBEC) at 453 Dundas Street (539-2382) should be your destination.

I noticed that small business adviser Christine Smith was the guest on a recent Rogers TV show Daytime Oxford and her topic of discussion with hosts Sarah and Jerry Acchione was wide ranging, but concentrated on available grants for an up-start summer business for youth (Under 29). The grant program is called Summer Company.

I’ve written about this resource centre previously, but with new ideas always on the horizon, I thought it appropriate to look at the grant availabilities.

Upon entering the front door of WASBEC, two things are seen immediately – tons of brochures and info pamphlets, and also an entire wall of business cards. The shelves full of cards of successful local business people could be your library in finding a mentor for your ideas. A flourishing business requires a Realtor (me), an accountant, lawyer, technology adviser, web designer, print shop, and of course many courses to sign up for which teach about advertising and marketing, social media, day planning, and clientele building.

Guest speakers and one-day seminars are just one of many avenues to consult with WASBEC about attending.

SUMMER COMPANY

While it’s the provincial ministry of Economic Development & Growth which creates the grant dollars for the Summer Company initiative, it’s WASBEC which administers their available monies and decides where the best destinations for the grants could be.

When I stopped by the office earlier this week, Smith noted that the local office has had many successes in recent years, and thereby have actually received a larger pool of available funds for the summer of 2017.

Read the links at www.woodstocksmallbusiness.ca and read the attached flyer, but the many qualifications for the program include anyone up to the age of 29 who is returning to school in the September. In other words, the resources are not just a possibility for someone defined in the under-20 age bracket. Summer Company does require a modestly-organized business plan, but WASBEC will assist in that process. The proposed business must also create a full-time job for the applicant for up to 12 weeks, and simply can’t be part of a current family business.

The start-up fund does not represent a financial windfall as an accepted participant in the program receives $1,500 now and could be eligible for $1,500 more in the fall.

The application deadline is quickly approaching, so bring your ideas to WASBEC today.

As a Realtor I use the words Discussion, Determination, Direction, Destination.

WASBEC talks about Mentoring, Connecting, Exploring and Succeeding.

If you’re thinking about a summer landscaping job or maybe want to work toward a career in photography or other services, WASBEC might be a great group to contact. 

NETWORK BREAKFAST

If your small business has existed for many years, consider attending the two monthly networking breakfast events at Ody’s restaurant at Quality Hotel & Suites – 8:30 a.m. on the first Monday and second Tuesday of each month.   

If you have a large existing company and you're considering Woodstock to be a great place to do business contact Brad Hammond and Len Magyar at the city's economic development office and through www.cometothecrossroads.com

LINKS:
www.woodstocksmallbusiness.ca

I believe the WASBEC site is currently under construction.

http://markroyallepage.blogspot.ca/2016/10/wasbec-is-woodstock-office-assisting.html

http://rogerstv.com/media?lid=237&rid=15&gid=276746

http://rogerstv.com/media?lid=237&rid=15&gid=276744

www.ontario.ca/summercompany

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2016/03/23/applications-are-now-being-accepted-in-woodstock-for-the-summer-company-program-which-funds-young-entrepreneurs-to-run-a-business-during-the-summer

www.owin.ca

www.cityofwoodstock.ca

www.onebusiness.ca

FACEBOOK:

SBEC Woodstock

EMAIL:

smallbusiness@cityofwoodstock.ca

 ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com is:

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.royallepagetriland.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

Future Oxford Expo was held on April 20 at Woodstock Fairgrounds

"Our Path Towards Sustainability" was the theme and the message

Guest speakers, information booths, electric cars and free admission 

By Mark Schadenberg

Team work is defined by a group of people with a common goal.

When I attended the Future Oxford Expo this past Thursday in Woodstock it was evident that the common goal was to create a sustainable Oxford County for the future and that would not occur unless every facet of the economy worked in cohesion, and that most certainly included the utilities sector.

The Oxford Auditorium at the Woodstock Fairgrounds on Nellis Street was packed inside and outside with exhibitors and information booths.

I loved the fact that the Canterbury Folk Festival in Ingersoll was there both to promote this year’s music festival (July 7 -9), but also to discuss the innovation award they won for hosting thousands of people in a municipal park and reaching their goal of zero waste. If you bought poutine, your plastic plate would be washed and be used by another customer. By the way, I missed Ian Thomas when he starred at Canterbury a few years ago and I will not miss his performance in 2017.

For long term viability of both agriculture and nature, we must preserve the resources we have, and also oversee their evolutions. The Future Oxford Expo included, therefore, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Stewardship Oxford, the Oxford Trails Council, the provincial sustainable energy association, and two lobby groups (including OPAL) working very hard to keep the Toronto garbage away from a proposed landfill near Ingersoll.

The environment must work hand in hand with energy and cleanliness, so the Expo featured Tesla cars to drive, Eco-Rides (Limo service using only electric vehicles), Hydro One, Erie Thames Power, Oxford energy cooperative, solar panel information, a company promoting urban composting, Arbor One (discussion about tree breeds and forestation), and the overall theme of Transition To Less Waste which the County of Oxford has been promoting already for a few years with a defined program in place. The mission statement could be defined as sustaining clean water and energy to assist in the long-term viability of both rural and urban lifestyles.

I always believe in the premises behind reduce, reuse and recycle, but the County Of Oxford wants to attain its goal of zero waste. With that in mind, other companies participating in the Expo were PS Cycles Of Life, SunFlow Solar, URBIN Composters, Greener Pastures Eco Farm, Sedum Master, and Rural Green Energy Inc.

The Future Expo also featured several guest speakers on its centre stage, including Doug Yates – environment and energy director for GM Canada.

No event of this size can offer free admission without each booth paying an entry fee to market their services, but also a slew of sponsors ranging from Heart FM to Spot Marketing Group, Snapd Woodstock, Pow Engineering, and the Frank Cowan insurance company.

Attending the event were Oxford people with varied backgrounds, but I saw many politicians including Trevor Burtch, Shawn Shapton and Todd Poetter of Woodstock, and Margaret Lupton of Zorra.

Also present was the dynamic duo of Brad Hammond and Len Magyar from the Woodstock economic development department. I will have more on that tag team in my next entry.    

LINKS:

http://www.futureoxford.ca/Expo.aspx

http://www.futureoxford.ca/News_and_Events/DNNArticle_Detail_View/ArticleId/7471/Future-Oxford-Partnership-seeking-new-members.aspx

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/04/21/keynote-speakers-at-future-oxford-expo-touch-on-sustainable-communities-and-electric-vehicles

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/04/21/future-oxford-expo-looks-at-new-and-developing-technologies-for-a-greener-future

http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/an-insightful-future-oxford-expo/

http://www.opalalliance.ca/

www.canterburyfolkfestival.on.ca

http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/canterbury-folk-festival-wins-tourism-award/

www.tourismoxford.ca

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com is:

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.royallepagetriland.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination