Hospitality expert Jamie Chao hasn’t been to Gananoque Secondary School in 2 years, but he’s making a comeback next month for a unique event that’s sure to catch the attention of the townspeople.

Chao has been busy learning to become a chef at George Brown in Toronto, and he’ll be coming back to Gananoque next month on the 12th to whip up a dinner in an effort to raise $2,500 in pledges.

Even though he has a pretty slammed scheduled, Chao still has some big and unusual goals in mind. He’s planning on riding a bicycle from Niagara Falls to Toronto—a distance of 320 kilometers—in the hopes of raising awareness and funds for research on cancer. The bike ride is part of the fundraiser, Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Chao comments that cancer research is immensely important for him, especially after how his father was afflicted with the disease. He hopes to raise $2,500 so he can join the 2-day cycling event.

He visited Gananoque Secondary School to seek help from Chef Doug Hill and Diane Kirby from the school’s hospitality class. According to Kirby, who promotes the dinner, she’s confident that Chao will meet his goal. She points out that even if the dinner is still 2 weeks away, people in town are already buzzing about the event.

Hospitality expert Jamie Chao hasn’t been to Gananoque Secondary School in 2 years, but he’s making a comeback next month for a unique event that’s sure to catch the attention of the townspeople.

Chao has been busy learning to become a chef at George Brown in Toronto, and he’ll be coming back to Gananoque next month on the 12th to whip up a dinner in an effort to raise $2,500 in pledges.

Even though he has a pretty slammed scheduled, Chao still has some big and unusual goals in mind. He’s planning on riding a bicycle from Niagara Falls to Toronto—a distance of 320 kilometers—in the hopes of raising awareness and funds for research on cancer. The bike ride is part of the fundraiser, Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Chao comments that cancer research is immensely important for him, especially after how his father was afflicted with the disease. He hopes to raise $2,500 so he can join the 2-day cycling event.

He visited Gananoque Secondary School to seek help from Chef Doug Hill and Diane Kirby from the school’s hospitality class. According to Kirby, who promotes the dinner, she’s confident that Chao will meet his goal. She points out that even if the dinner is still 2 weeks away, people in town are already buzzing about the event.

It may be temporary for now, but Gananoque residents can breathe a sigh of relief as council has agreed to put off the 6% increase in the town’s water rate until the 1st of September, 2010. At a council meeting that took place on Tuesday, Mayor Jim Garrah expressed his understanding of the community’s worries about higher water fees.

However, he pointed out that an increase was the only solution to making sure the town had a stable future.

He added that the town is working on a more effective closed loop system that will result in a full cost recovery in the future.

According to town treasurer Ross Jeffrey, the 6% hike was the best they could do under the current circumstances. He noted that there’s a capital of around $13,500,000 for water and sewage projects outlined in the town’s 10-year plan. But $10.7 million of that money may not be required if the lagoon cleaning projects and the inflow and infiltration projects are successful.

It’s pretty clear however, that the community will be clearly affected by this increase, with many residents and business still trying to recover after the economic crisis. They can only hope that council finds a viable solution to the town’s water woes.

It may be temporary for now, but Gananoque residents can breathe a sigh of relief as council has agreed to put off the 6% increase in the town’s water rate until the 1st of September, 2010. At a council meeting that took place on Tuesday, Mayor Jim Garrah expressed his understanding of the community’s worries about higher water fees.

However, he pointed out that an increase was the only solution to making sure the town had a stable future.

He added that the town is working on a more effective closed loop system that will result in a full cost recovery in the future.

According to town treasurer Ross Jeffrey, the 6% hike was the best they could do under the current circumstances. He noted that there’s a capital of around $13,500,000 for water and sewage projects outlined in the town’s 10-year plan. But $10.7 million of that money may not be required if the lagoon cleaning projects and the inflow and infiltration projects are successful.

It’s pretty clear however, that the community will be clearly affected by this increase, with many residents and business still trying to recover after the economic crisis. They can only hope that council finds a viable solution to the town’s water woes.

Recognized as the only event at Gananoque Secondary School totally run by students, presented to their fellow students, Coffee House is ready for the Big Night on the 29th of April at 6 in the evening at the school.

Started 13 ago by English teacher Gail Simmons, this year’s event will be supervised by another English teacher, Patty West, together with music teacher Robyn Abelson.

West says that overseeing the project is part of her promise to Gail that she would continue to do the work started by the teacher a decade ago. Now that Gail has retired, the burden of continuing the spirit of Coffee House now rests upon her shoulders.

She adds that this event is a golden opportunity for students to showcase their talents. She points out that some of these kids don’t stand out in school, both academically and in sports, so it’s really great to see them do very well on stage.

Rehearsals for the show were recently held and the organizers now have a feel of who can play what songs.

In order to raise money for the show, the students will be hosting a silent auction to collect additional funds.

Recognized as the only event at Gananoque Secondary School totally run by students, presented to their fellow students, Coffee House is ready for the Big Night on the 29th of April at 6 in the evening at the school.

Started 13 ago by English teacher Gail Simmons, this year’s event will be supervised by another English teacher, Patty West, together with music teacher Robyn Abelson.

West says that overseeing the project is part of her promise to Gail that she would continue to do the work started by the teacher a decade ago. Now that Gail has retired, the burden of continuing the spirit of Coffee House now rests upon her shoulders.

She adds that this event is a golden opportunity for students to showcase their talents. She points out that some of these kids don’t stand out in school, both academically and in sports, so it’s really great to see them do very well on stage.

Rehearsals for the show were recently held and the organizers now have a feel of who can play what songs.

In order to raise money for the show, the students will be hosting a silent auction to collect additional funds.

The 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival is set to return to Gananoque for the second straight year on the 15^th of May, and according to the two local volunteers running the festival, David Ansley and Rick Ransom, their working on the show for the town’s sake.

Ransom said that the goal is to make Gananoque a happening place, a town that can play host to big events, and a town where people know how to have fun. He’s looking to top last year’s crowd of close to 400 participants made up of artists, locals, and tourists. Drawing in more artists is a clear sign that this year’s festival is successful, Ransom commented.

Considering that they had only 3 months to prepare for last year’s festival, which was composed of 4 events, Ransom thinks the turnout was pretty decent. He added that over 70 percent of those who joined the festivities were residents from Gananoque, so hopefully more people from outside town show up and participate.

This year’s 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will feature a dozen new events, with a special appearance by author and illustrator Wallace Edwards.

With preparations for the event in full swing, this year’s festival looks to be a memorable one.

The 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival is set to return to Gananoque for the second straight year on the 15^th of May, and according to the two local volunteers running the festival, David Ansley and Rick Ransom, their working on the show for the town’s sake.

Ransom said that the goal is to make Gananoque a happening place, a town that can play host to big events, and a town where people know how to have fun. He’s looking to top last year’s crowd of close to 400 participants made up of artists, locals, and tourists. Drawing in more artists is a clear sign that this year’s festival is successful, Ransom commented.

Considering that they had only 3 months to prepare for last year’s festival, which was composed of 4 events, Ransom thinks the turnout was pretty decent. He added that over 70 percent of those who joined the festivities were residents from Gananoque, so hopefully more people from outside town show up and participate.

This year’s 1000 Islands International Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will feature a dozen new events, with a special appearance by author and illustrator Wallace Edwards.

With preparations for the event in full swing, this year’s festival looks to be a memorable one.

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April 1-4th, 2010

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