St Moritz Community Rink

Many community members have been enjoying the outdoor rink off of St Moritz Drive that is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers.  We have some important kudos and thank yous related to the rink.  Several local businesses have stepped up to help make rink maintenance more affordable or to sponsor the rink maintenance.  Please consider supporting these local businesses who have shown they care for our community.

• Thank you to Robertson Rent All for providing free use of the roller for the second year in a row.  The roller allows volunteers to pack down snow and get the ice surface running.
• Thank you to Myers Orléans Nissan and Myers Orléans Chevrolet Buick GMC dealerships for their sponsorship for the second year in a row.  This sponsorship helps pay for supplies for rink maintenance as well as things like gas for the snowblower.
• Thank you to Wheelsport for the rebate on maintenance on our snowblower.  The CGOWCA invested in a snowblower several years ago and maintaining it will help extend this investment.  

Be social wise during the provincewide state of emergency and stay-at-home order [from Ottawa Public Health]

Due to the high number of people testing positive for COVID-19, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) recommends keeping the number of people you interact with small:  those in your household plus essential supports. For social gatherings, this can include limiting gatherings to those who live in your household and those providing essential support services such as a caregiver. If you live alone (single parent, student, etc.), one or two contacts from another household can be important social supports to draw on.

Gatherings are going to look and feel different during the COVID-19 pandemic. All individuals should assess their own level of risk, and the health of every person in their household, when deciding how to celebrate. If anyone in your household is at higher risk from COVID-19, everyone should choose lower risk activities to keep them safe.  

Some things to note before you start planning:  

• Indoor public events and social gatherings are limited to your own household (the people you live with) under the Provincewide state of emergency and stay-at-home order.
• If you live alone or are a single parent, you may consider having an exclusive close contact with one other household to help reduce the negative impacts of social isolation.
• Outdoor public events and social gatherings are limited to 5 people under the Provincewide state of emergency and stay-at-home order.
• These limits cannot be combined (for example: it is NOT permitted to host a social gathering with your household indoors and 5 guests outdoors).   

In addition to older adults, people who have serious underlying medical conditions (such as: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic liver disease, cancer, are immunocompromised) are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.  

Be in the know about COVID-19 levels in our community.  

Winter Carnival 2021 – cancelled

Due to current restrictions, we have decided to postpone our annual Winter Carnival to next year. We look forward to 2022 and seeing everyone in person then!  For this year, please check out and enjoy these virtual and outdoor alternatives for winter fun:

• Orléans Winterlude Challenge from the BIA.  In their recent newsletter, the Heart of Orléans BIA has announced that Fêtes Frissons has been cancelled this year.  They are challenging all of us to create a masterpiece out of snow. Let’s scatter snowmen, snow women, snow animals, igloos and forts in our yards at home AND our places of business. Grab some food coloring, a shovel, and your snow person’s attire of choice and be creative. 
• Virtual Winterlude.  Since 1979, Winterlude has been brightening the winters of Canada’s Capital Region. From February 5 to 21, 2021, celebrate the joys of winter Winterlude style. For the 43rd edition, a new, entirely virtual experience awaits Canadians from across the country. Inspiration, entertainment, warmth… THIS is Winterlude! Find out what’s on offer at  Winterlude – Canada.ca.
• Have some fun with your household by registering for the Hunt for Hearts.  While raising money for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, you participate in an online and outdoor scavenger hunt powered by Escape Manor.  Registration is $25 per person and you have the whole month of February to finish the scavenger hunt!