Earlier this year, the Government of Ontario passed Bill 45, “An Act to Proclaim Ontario Cadets Week” into law on April 11, 2022. To be celebrated on the first week of October of every year, Ontario cadets Week is an opportunity for the people of Ontario to “honour the outstanding young Canadians whose unique personal and collective development through cadet programs will help them be successful in Canadian society, as well as recognizing those who support the programs directly and indirectly.”
In February 2020, the Milton Players Theatre Group had just wrapped their hilarious production of “Perfect Wedding”. It was the second show of their 40th Anniversary season. Two of the three shows planned for the celebratory season, marking 4 decades of bringing award winning theatre to Milton, were now complete and they were gearing up to close the season with their May 2020 production. Little did they know that it would be their last time on stage entertaining live audiences for over two and a half years.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to cut their Anniversary Season short, and while they continued to entertain by focusing on online projects over the last two years, this November brings them back to the stage in front of live audiences once again!
By now you’ve probably heard that Zeeshan Hamid is running for Mayor. Hamid has spent the past 12 years on Council, but I wanted to know more about Zee, beyond politics.
Our conversation starts with a discussion about his love for coffee. Zee tells me he has more than a dozen coffee machines at home. When I ask him where to find the best coffee in Milton, he says, “you’ll often find me at Barn Door Cafe or Chudleigh’s Blossom Cafe, but if you’re looking for beans then Java Nut is your stop.”
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) celebrated the opening of its Temple in MILTON located at 410 Bronte St South, Unit # 202 & 203 on the auspicious occasion of Lord Krishna ‘JANMASHTAMI’ festival on Friday August 19, 2022. ISKCON Milton temple was formally inaugurated by the Consul General of India, Toronto – Apoorva Srivastava, Acting Mayor of Milton – Kristina Tesser Derksen, Halton Regional Councillor – Mike Cluett, Town Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo and representative of the Milton MPP Parm Gill
81 golfers attended granite Ridge for the 11th annual North Halton Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament. Charities were special Olympics and Bob Rumball Association for the deaf. Mayor Krantz attended and welcomed the Golfers and sponsors that donated to two great charities.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and Milton Marathi Group (MMG) came together in Milton, ON, on Friday, September 9th, to celebrate one of the biggest Hindu festivals of India – The Ganesh Festival. Lord Ganesha – the God of New Beginnings, Wisdom and the Remover of Obstacles, is celebrated for ten days as he comes and visits his devotee’s homes.
Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo has been Milton’s local Councillor for south east Milton for 12 years now. In 2021 he won the Milton Champion Award for Milton’s favourite local politician and his passion for community involvement clearly shows in his activities with resident groups and organizations. He was one of this year’s sponsors for Milton Canada Day, as well as helping the Milton Halal Food Festival take off in their first year.
This election he’s running for Regional Council for ward 3, leaving his local Councillor position open for others. When asked why the change, he says “Regional Council has added responsibilities such as Halton Public Health, Halton Regional Police (related to my focus on community safety). These two areas have always been a focus of mine. Plus Milton’s infrastructure has been lacking support at the regional level, often delayed and pushed back it has fallen behind our growth. I believe Milton deserves better.”
Local residents celebrated Pakistan’s 76th Independence day in August at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre. The free family friendly event began at 6:00 p.m. with symbolic Canadian and Pakistani flag waving and singing of both national anthems.
What is the Ruck to Remember? It is an initiative started nine years ago by a civilian who because of medical issues could not join the military but wanted to support our Canadian Veterans and other first responders, including Paramedics, Firefighters and Law Enforcement. Lino Nevio DiJulio started the Ruck to Remember to raise funds for first responders’ different charities. This year “Operation Leave the Streets Behind” a Royal Canadian Legion Charity to get homeless veterans off the streets was their focus!
The municipal election is in full swing and for the first time in a long time, Milton has a real race shaping up for Mayor. After serving 12 years on Council, Councillor, Zeeshan (Zee) Hamid has stepped forward to run against Gord Krantz under the campaign banner “it’s time”.
Hamid has long been viewed as a respected leader on Council with an eye for balanced growth. “I believe we can grow without building high-rises in already established neighbourhoods,” he says. He is a tech sector leader, passionate about sustainability and creating livable communities. If elected, his goal would be to bring a new official plan that protects small businesses and promotes balanced growth.