Join cruise group to Alaska; raise money for cancer society

Woodstock's Expedia cruiseshipcenters office has created a group trip to Alaska

Portion of each cabin booked to be donated to CCS

By Mark Schadenberg

WOODSTOCK -- A vacation is a great way to go on an adventure of a lifetime, but it can also be an opportunity to enjoy time with friends, perhaps see the gold-rush heritage, ice-capped mountains, and the natural beauty of the north.

Planning a trip can also take a lot of time and energy.

A solution could be to take a vacation cruise with friends to Alaska, and now you can even make a contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society at the same time.

The Woodstock office of Expedia CruiseShipCenters has booked 90 cabins aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship (The Oosterdam) for Aug. 17, 2014 – for a seven-night cruise to Alaska.

A portion of the proceeds from each booking in the group tour will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Expedia office at 442A Dundas Street has set a target of $20,000 to raise for the charity.

Franchise partner Bill Shaw explained the fundraising idea began with a suggestion from travel consultant Elizabeth Ross, and evolved into the name Lean On Me Project.

“This is one way to recognize and support people going through their fight with cancer,” says Shaw. “We wanted to contribute to the local (CCS) because we also know the costs they have to run their programs, and we know the number of volunteer hours also involved in this organization.”

Shaw describes an Alaska cruise as one of the most returned-to destinations in the world. In other words, vacationers usually take a second cruise after enjoying their initial scenic visit up the west coast of Canada. The cruise will depart from Vancouver and has three price points depending on size and view of the room selected.

“The cruise offers an impeccable scenery, amazing wildlife, whale watching and glaciers,” added Shaw.

The one-year lead time is important as Bill Shaw notes many couples plan vacations with significant advance time.

Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Anchorage are among the docking points. A second option for this vacation is to continue on a further four-day inland railway journey to Denali National Park, Fairbanks and Mt McKinley.

For additional details and breakdowns on the pricing, contact Expedia cruiseshipcenters at (519) 537-8333 or visit them in Downtown Woodstock.      

A long-time volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society 

and its Relay For Life programs

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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Stop at an OnRoute for your stay-cation ideas

Summer Fun Guide promotes Ontario vacations

By Mark Schadenberg

Advertising can often provide the opportunity to gear your marketing to your exact audience.

If you’re in the tourism business, is there a better place to advertise than a magazine promoting various Ontario destinations?

The Summer Fun Guide is available now at the OnRoute service centres along the 401, including the gas depot just a few kilometres west of Woodstock.

There are now three reasons, therefore, to stop into the local OnRoute – New York Fries, the gravy at New York Fries, and if you’re still planning a stay-cation during our current warm months, the Summer Fun Guide.

Info-tainment

The catalogue has 88 pages of info, but most importantly a ton of coupons and an events schedule that highlights many happenings. In our area, the Baden Corn Fest (Aug. 10) and Ruthven Apple Festival (Sept 28) are noted, while Cowapolooza in Woodstock (Aug 16-17), the Embro Highland Games (held July 1) and the recently-completed Canterbury Folk Festival in Ingersoll were omitted.

It is not possible to include all events and attractions, but organizers of any type of tourism activity should note that the Summer Fun Guide (www.summerfunguide.ca) is a terrific vehicle to advertise in based on the number of vehicles stopping at OnRoute. The event listings are free, but the additional ads cost money. Hint . . . hint . . . hint Tourism Oxford.

Several sections

The book is divided into seven geographic areas and each section is sub-divided into topics such as accommodation, activities and attractions.

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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More regulations pending for condominium managers

Ontario legislature considering bill

By Mark Schadenberg

Once again, it appears the provincial government is modifying an old law, to make sure everything is working well within a 20-mile radius of Queen’s Park.

The new or proposed changes to the Ontario condominium act are all good ideas, but reflect mostly issues surrounding high-rise condo projects in the Greater Toronto Area – the GTA.

Quite honestly, it’s hard to believe there has not been stricter rules in place already for property managers and their qualifications. Could you imagine a real estate office, where just the broker had passed a zillion courses, but the sales staff could walk in with a resume and a firm hand shake, and then be given a desk and a phone.

Stats in the below story are based on province-wide numbers, but obviously in the GTA they are building up and not as many detached homes in suburb subdivisions. In fact, old buildings are getting retro-fitted all the time into condo apartments.

Approximately one million residents in the province of the Trillium, reside in some form of a condo.

In Woodstock, there are just two condo apartment projects you can buy and both are well over 15 years old – Ferguson Drive (159 and 161) and the walk-up condo apartments on Hiawatha.

Old Shell Game

The ‘act’ loop hole I would like to see erased is where an ‘investor’ can buy a condo that doesn’t exist because a developer wants a large nest egg to begin construction. Then, before any occupants actually move in, several of the units are re-sold for a profit. In theory, you could have a part-time job flipping condo units, and I’m sure many folks do. The risk would be that the condo you purchased three years ago has decreased in value. It’s not buying bricks and mortar, but rather stocks and bonds.  

THE TORONTO STAR LINK:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2013/07/17/changes_to_condo_act_will_offer_greater_protection_for_residents_liberals_say.html

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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Chip Martin throws curveball at Cooperstown

Book backs Beachville's claim to founding baseball

Since .300 is considered a good batting average, my 300th blog post will be about baseball.

Baseball's Creation Myth full of research and facts

By Mark Schadenberg

The year was 1838 – 175 years ago.

The game of baseball was invented.

The early version of the sport had four bases.

The early version of the game was invented in Beachville – not in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Well-regarded London Free Press columnist Chip Mart has now penned a book which features even more proof and connections to the birth of baseball in Beachville, and the original writings of the sport in its infancy by a Dr Adam Ford.

Baseball’s Creation Myth (published by: McFarland) is the title and it will be a must-read for anyone who has followed the annals of baseball locally and knows the importance of names like Tip O’Neill and Lefty Judd.

Cooperstown in upper New York State features a terrific ball diamond and nostalgia galore in its practically adjoining museum.

The Beachville museum (www.beachvilledistrictmuseum.ca) also has a display to recognize that community’s importance to the sport. If you have never seen the depictions, you must.

The new book may shatter the thoughts of those in the grand olde USA.

“I believe it might be quite controversial especially south of the border because it illustrates that the roots of Americana are actually on this side of the border,” says Martin in a story printed in the Toronto Sun (see link).

Locally, the Beachville bit of history has been well recognized for years, but the Martin novel as you turn the pages sews some links between Abner Doubleday and the first double plays turned in Oxford County.

Martin was inspired to conduct his research after watching the Ken Burns documentary min-series about baseball, which has aired previously by PBS.

Time has tried to tell us that Cooperstown is baseball’s home.

Time will now also tell us in the future if Beachville will get the credit it deserves.

THE LINK:

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/07/16/book-throws-a-curveball-at-baseballs-origin  

Oxford County has a great history and is a great place to live. 

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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Ball diamond complex inches closer to reality

Woodstock to spend smart dollars on Woodall park in 2013

By Mark Schadenberg

I need not need to say where I sit on the issue of the Woodall Woods Farm becoming a recreation complex for the City of Woodstock.

As chair for the past three years of the Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee, we have analyzed the need for additional ball diamonds in Woodstock from 90 degrees – looking at all the angles from first to second to third and back home again. The need not only exists the building of a dedicated ball facility is extremely long overdue.

On four occasions I have spoken about this supply and demand need at city council.

Keep in mind, when prices like $24 million are tossed around, that tag includes more than roads, parking lots, a concession stand with three bathrooms, plus naturally five ball diamonds with lights, but the dollar figure also includes additional projects that may occur in future phases.

I have always pushed for a free splash pad for kids -- not with a wading pool requiring lifeguards, but a water feature patrolled by parents with an abundance of spouts, small dumping buckets, water tunnels, and large sprinklers.

Other amenities down the line could include a long shopping list: outdoor pool, arena(s), curling club, library, gymnasium, outdoor basketball court, tennis, and a youth centre.

The Southwood arenas twin-pad complex opened up 17 years ago – 1996 and included a gymnasium dedicated solely to gymnastics. All these years later, it continues to be a very viable municipal facility. Within one year it will be fully paid for (debenture).

As the story below from The Sentinel-Review notes, many studies must be conducted before any baseball backstops or home run fences can be installed. Hats off (ball caps too) to city councillor Paul Plant for putting forward the motion to get the (base) ball rolling on these important hurdles to be crossed.

Approved is an expenditure of $120,000 for this year’s budget. The City has monies in reserves for such projects and some of it should be spent. The microscope would be utilized in the autumn of 2013 on items like topography, archaeology and environmental.

Remember, Woodstock is one of very few cities that carries practically zero debt. In Stratford, each citizen would have to pencil a cheque for about $10,000 to balance the long-term books. Another reason not to complain about our municipal tax levels as we are not paying off years of interest we are operating facilities and integral services.

Plant talks about this complex to be shovel-ready in case higher levels of government introduce funding options to communities with 2017 to be a 150 party for Canada. My stand / platform – if this was an election campaign – is that the ball diamonds should be built before 2017 and that any grants could be applied to the next phases.

THE LATEST LINK:

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/07/12/council-pushes-up-rec-complex-studies

 Updating you on our community

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com             (519) 537-1553, cell or text

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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

Woodstock will not make changes to 2014 voting system

Voting on how a municipality votes
A proposal suggesting changing to a modified electronic voting procedure in Woodstock was voted down by city council at its meeting on July 11.
The city clerk's department had prepared a report for council's consideration, which suggested significantly changing the municipal election system slated for the fall of 2014.
Current city council member Bill Bes was against the idea, saying in council chambers and recorded by The Sentinel-Review for its published story: "“I would prefer to stick with [paper ballots] and consider [electronic voting] for 2018.”
Many of the councillors liked the idea of electronic voting but didn’t think that the community was ready to make the switch from the traditional method.
In 2010, 150 of the 444 municipalities used some type of alternative vote casting system. One hundred and six municipalities used mail-in voting, 30 municipalities used Internet and or telephone voting and 14 used electronic voting in advanced polls and paper ballets on election day . . . 
Internet voting was estimated to cost $80,000 and would require a physical polling location with laptops and tablets to accommodate those without Internet access or who require assistance . . . 
The full version of The Sentinel-Review story penned by Codi Wilson can be read at the link below.
Since we voted just once every three years to decide who represents us around the horseshoe at 500 Dundas, I believe we can make an effort to attend a local school gym with our picture identification to prove who we are, to take part in our city's election.
I don 't like advance polls for people who can actually vote on election day. I disagree with mailing in a vote, emailing or filling out a questionnaire on a website. I'm not olde-fashioned or unpractical, I'm realistic -- real people voting in a real election.

      ()()()()()()()()
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/07/12/woodstock-city-council-sticks-to-paper-ballots-in-next-election

Woodstock city council to consider change in voting procedures

Pondering possible plebiscite to deal with possible voting system change

By Mark Schadenberg

Has modern technology gone too far?

There is a possibility that the next Woodstock municipal election could include voting via internet, telephone or email.

I never liked the idea of voting at an advance poll unless you could actually prove you were going to be away during the actual election date. I certainly also disagree with a system that permits someone to send through the mail their votes sometimes two or three weeks before the ‘real’ ballot day.

In both cases, I believe there is a possibility a major shift could occur in who are the best people for the post. Perhaps one topic or controversy in particular moves to the forefront and you decide that your preference is now a different candidate, but you’ve already submitted your panel of picks.

In Woodstock, we elect one mayor, two city-and-county combined councillors, and three city-only council members. An issue from the overall Oxford County viewpoint could erupt two days before ballot suffrage day, and you would be unable to change your selection – nullify your previous position.

There are always many topics of debate – taxes, waste and water management, residential development, municipal facilities, parks and recreation, transportation, roads and buses, zonings, and possible modifications to the so-called ‘official plan’.

I think the solution is simple. More polling stations (not fewer) and the encouragement to create a system where someone places an ‘x’ in the boxes of a ballot in person – in a neighbourhood school gym or community centre.

My ideas are not exactly related to a proposal current city council members may consider, but what is the point of having personal identification with pictures, if I can dial a 10-digit number and press another series of numbers to pick my politicians?

A Woodstock city hall employee – deputy city clerk Amy Humphries -- has penned a report with many suggestions for possible modifications to ponder by council to an overhaul of the local voting system for 2014.

Should we organize a local plebiscite with old fashioned ballot boxes to determine whether the ballot box era is over?

Here’s a link to The Woodstock Sentinel-Review story.

    

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/07/09/new-voting-options-presented-to-woodstock-city-council-for-2014-election

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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