Dec 08

Newsletter – December 2017

Would you like to help make someone’s Christmas merry and bright?

…and you’d like to make a difference in your community:

  • The Orléans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre has a Christmas Program that looks for people to sponsor a family; to host an “Angel Tree” at their office, business, or with friends and family; to donate new unwrapped gifts or gift cards; and to donate food. If you are interested, contact them quickly! There are deadlines for some types of help. You can see the full write up on their website or you can contact Cindy MacKay at 613-830-4357 ext. 305 or at cmackay@crcoc.ca.
  • The Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre also has a Christmas program to sponsor a family; Tuques for Tots, donations of winter accessories; Teen Angel, donations of gift cards; and Food for the Holidays. You can find more details on their website or call Chantal or Najwa at 613-741-6025.
  • Other ideas: Visit with your neighbours! Lend a helping hand after a heavy snowfall!

…and you’d like a broader impact:

  • The Ottawa Food Bank helps over 40,000 people per month and looks for community members just like you to organize Holiday Food Drives. You can get information and materials on their website to organize your own drive. You can also leave donations at bins around the city such as the one found just inside the doors at the Metro at the Convent Glen Plaza. Also, please consider donating money instead of food; the food bank can stretch 1$ into 5$ worth of food!
  • The Caring and Sharing Exchange was started in 1915 and provides food hampers and gift cards to families during the holiday season. In 2016, over 14000 households in Ottawa received help through the Caring and Sharing Exchange. Find out more on their website or call them at 613-226-6434.
  • You can donate money to most charitable organizations through canadahelps.org if you have a cause that is close to your heart. Even though Giving Tuesday has passed, it’s not too late to make an impact in 2017.
  • If you would rather donate your time, you could check out volunteerottawa.ca and search through hundreds of opportunities around the city. You can filter results by neighbourhood if you would like to stay close to home. You can also filter by when you are available – days, evenings, weekends, etc.

Community outdoor ice rink

We at the Convent Glen Community Association are looking for volunteers to help in the cleaning and maintaining of the ice rink behind Convent Glen Catholic School.  We are looking for two levels of volunteers:

  • an “A team”, consisting of 4 people, who will be able to devote one or two nights or days a week to the regular maintenance of the rink. This team will need to be able to operate the blower and water the ice, and will have access to the storage bunker. Depending on conditions you will be at the rink for 1-2 hours.
  • a “B team”, consisting of 6+ people, who will be available as necessary, to assist in clearing the ice after significant snowfalls. The more individuals on the B team the better as it means the work can be done faster.

If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in being part of either of these teams please contact George Jameson via phone at 613-824-5536 or email him at g.jam (at) hotmail.com.

text saying Happy Holidays with coloured lights below the text

And last but not least, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at the CGOWCA! May your holidays be filled with love, laughter and warmth!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/newsletter-december-2017/

Dec 03

Newsletter – November 2017

Get to know your Board of Directors

A new board was elected at the September 18, 2017 Annual General Meeting. The previous board hosted a social event to encourage community members who wanted to know more about the CGOWCA to come out and meet current board members and get more information. All 4 new board members came out to this session, so clearly it was a success! This year’s Board is made up of four returning members including Miranda Gray (President), Karen Chow, Nick Gadbois, and Christine Williams.  There are four new members including Gary Bradshaw (Vice President), Mireille Brownhill (Treasurer), Fran Childs (Secretary) and Louise McLaren. You can see board members’ bios here.

Mark your calendars

At the first board meeting, members discussed ideas for events the CGOWCA could organize or champion in the coming year. Watch out for more information on the upcoming events. The Community Association’s Facebook Group is one of the best ways to get news about events:

  • Carolling – December 2017 – spread some cheer to seniors living at Bruyère and other localseniors’ residences who may not have loved ones near by this season.
  • Winter Carnival – February 19, 2018 (Family Day) from 10am to 2pm – come meet your neighbours and take part in some fun winter games and activities.
  • Bike Rodeo – early spring 2018 –get some safety training while dusting off your bicycle for the season.
  • Dog walk-a- thon – April 28, 2018 – strut your stuff with your pooch and raise money for charity at the same time! Last year, participants walked the Voyageur loop.
  • Community Garage Sale – spring 2018 – why not make some money after that spring cleaning? We will aim to sync our date with other Orleans community associations.
  • Picnic in the park – summer 2018 – let’s enjoy one of the many green spaces in our backyard with some outdoor games and activities
  • Yoga in the park – summer 2018 – sun salutations anyone? Bring your yoga mat and enjoy an instructor led, outdoor yoga class.
  • Pumpkin parade – October 2018 – Carve those pumpkins and bring them out to be admired by your neighbours!

Help Groom the Trail

An exciting new recreational opportunity will soon be available to east-end Ottawa residents. An 8 km section of the Ottawa River pathway will be groomed from Green’s Creek in the west to Trim Road in the east. This will enable both classic and skate cross country skiers, as well as snowshoers, pedestrians and dog walkers to enjoy this scenic route along the Ottawa River.

A pilot project was launched in March 2017 with the full cooperation of the NCC, City of Ottawa and especially, Councillor Bob Monette. The pilot proved a great success and Convent Glen/Orléans Wood residents are keen to see the full roll-out this winter. Your Community Association has been an active supporter and will continue to work in partnership with Ski Heritage East to create a wealth of winter activity possibilities for carnivals, races and events. To make this project sustainable, organizers are seeking funding from the City and crowd-funding. You can donate through their GoFundMe campaign at: https://www.gofundme.com/help-groom-the-trail

You can also help by contacting Bob Monette (bob.monette@ottawa.ca) and Mayor Jim Watson (jim.watson@ottawa.ca) to express your support. Ask your friends and neighbours to do the same. Community support counts for a lot. Check out their new Facebook page at Ski Heritage East and give them a “Like”!

For more information or to ask about volunteer opportunities, please contact Ski Heritage East at skiheritage.east@gmail.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/newsletter-november-2017/

Jul 04

Habitat For Humanity Block Party

Permanent link to this article: https://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/habitat-for-humanity-block-party/

Apr 06

Dog Walkathon!


DOG WALKATHON!

Are you and your furry friend looking to get some exercise and help out a great cause? If so, the CGOWCA invites you to participate in the most fun walk around the block! Everyone is welcome dogs, cats, kids… even hamsters! Canines who complete the circuit will receive a special award!

Where: École Élémentaire Catholique Des Voyageurs parking lot

Distance: 3KM (around Voyageur neighborhood)

Date: April 29th, 2017 at 10 a.m.

Rain date: April 30th, at 10 a.m.

Goal: Raise money which will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society!

For more information or to make an online donation, please visit the Convent Glen – Orléans Wood Community Association’s Facebook page! We thank you in advance for your support!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/dog-walkathon/

Mar 24

Celebrating Gloucester 1867-2017

In Celebration of Canada’s Sesquicentennial,

The Gloucester Historical Society invites students to participate in a writing contest titled

“Life in Gloucester 1867 – 2017”

This is designed to be a class writing project coinciding with the Grade 8 Canadian History curriculum but individual students may also participate even if this is not a class project in their school.

Eligibility: Any Grade 8 student residing or attending school in former Gloucester territories

This includes all areas from the Ottawa River in the north to Mitch Owens in the south,
and from the Rideau River in the west to Champlain Street, Mer Bleue Road and Boundary Road in the east.

Historic Gloucester Map

Entries will be up to three typewritten pages long or longer if maps and photos are included. A cash prize of $150 as well as a framed certificate will be awarded to the top English and the top French entries. Second and third prize winners in both English and French will receive $100 and $50 respectively.

Closing date will be April 30, 2017, with the award being made in June 2017 at the winning schools. Entries may be in English or French, about any aspect of Gloucester history (for example: a person, place or event), with a strong focus on evidence gathered from primary and secondary sources.

Further details are available on their website, www.gloucesterhistory.com, and inquiries may be directed to english@gloucesterhistory.com or francais@gloucesterhistory.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.conventglenorleanswood.com/celebrating-gloucester-1867-2017/