Elmvale Water Festival

Beware of the Water Hunters

The message was loud and clear form Maude Barlow. "Beware of the water hunters" in reference to the next commodity to be exploited as the worlds fresh water diminishes. Source depletion is occurring in a number of ways, the Chicago diversion, where water is being sent into the Mississippi River, Aquifer depletion's where underground water feeds into the lakes, is now being taken by bottling companies. Combined with the reduced fresh water availability, there is pollution and contamination of water resources. Needless to say businesses who rely on fresh water as part of their recreation programs may be affected, not to mention water for drinking and other uses. For more information on water resources in the Elmvale area please view Elmvale Water Festival. Needless to say the streams, rivers, and ground water that flows into Georgian Bay can be reduced without adequate legislation to protect our water resources,

Ontario Holidays with History and Outdoor Beaches

Midland-Penetanguishene and Georgian Bay Area.

The Southern Georgian Bay area and Historic Midland provide exceptional vacation holidays for families with an interest in Canada's rich history and fun times at the beach with the kids. Beaches abound in the Midland area such as the one at Gawley Park or one of Ontario's outstanding beach areas is Awenda Provincial Park or one of the many beach locations areas in and around Midland-Penetanguishene. As one of the top 100 places to see in Ontario. Downtown Midland hould be on every visitors and residents travel list. Midland hosts North America’s largest outdoor mural and was recently listed in the Ron Brown first edition of Top 100 Unusual Things to see in Ontario released September 17^th 2007, Boston Mills Press. Brown labels the murals as a "Giant Outdoor Art Gallery". The murals depicting a scene from the Jesuits meeting Huron aboriginals for the first time is the largest outdoor historic mural in North America. Ron Brown is a Canadian travel writer and broadcaster who is the author of several books on unusual features to see throughout Ontario. His latest titles include Downtown Ontario; Unusual Main Streets to Explore, and Top One Hundred Unusual Things to See in Ontario. Toronto-based Brown also regularly contributes to CBC Radio broadcasts.

For the summer of 2008 our murals are continuing to be restored by 3 local artists with the financial aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Ruth Hurdle is recreating the Rotary Mural which was originally on the LCBO building. This mural will be relocated on the side of T & G Fabrics. Terri-Lee Milley will be recreating the S.S. Lemoyne mural which will be painted on location on the side of Homecoming beside St. Paul’s United Church. Sonja Rathke has been restoring all the murals located at the Town of Midland’s Harbour Master’s office at the bottom of King Street this summer. Please feel free to speak with them about their experiences.

Midland Ontario is 90 minutes north of the Greater Toronto Area, and 35 minutes North West of Barrie. Situated on the shores of Georgian Bay in historic Huronia, the Midland area is one of Ontario’s earliest developed settlements dating back to the early 1600’s and Samuel de Champlain.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE AREA: Hotels, Resorts and Historic Inns are available in the Southern Georgian Bay area. See Midland Area Accommodation

WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA. Exciting historical re-enactments and attractions, fresh clean beaches complement First Nations history, Georgian Bay Cruises and Great Lakes British Navel history and the towering Martyrs’ Shrine. http://www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/S/Attractions.aspx

TOURIST INFORMATION: FREE full colour guidebook available by calling 1800-263-7745, or view Georgian Bay Visitor Guide on-line

For additional information on Downtown Midland and the Midland Mural Project contact Meredith Forrest at 705.527.7246