The Townsend Smith Foundation is a charitable organization working to build a hospice for North Halton. The foundation is currently raising funds through events and generous donors, and bringing awareness to the need for a hospice in our community.

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!

For the past 9 years there has been a Halal Food Festival in nearby Mississauga. It’s always been a great success but recently the organizer Amir Shamsi and Sara Khan (Milton resident and entrepreneur) worked together to bring the annual event to Milton.

The event held on August 21st at the Milton Community Park was extremely well attended and included live music performances along with many Halal food options, local vendors, and a Mango Festival included as part of the festivities.

Italian Cultural Centre of Milton (ICCM) in collaboration with La Rose Specialty Foods and Fine Italian Bakery co-hosted its 9th Annual Italia Fest Fundraiser on August 14th supporting Townsend Smith Foundation & the ICCM Building Fund.

Italia Fest is an outdoor family festival and fundraiser that celebrates Italian Culture and Heritage in Canada through food, drink, music, dancing, games, and community spirit. Italian Canadians and ALL diverse cultures were welcomed to celebrate this beautiful day at the ICCM escarpment grounds.

Halton Gujrati Senior Samaj celebrated Canada Day on 9th,of July at Milton Sports Centre in a banquet hall. The event started with a dance for praying Ganeshji to remove obstacles in life. The Honourable Mayor Gordon Krantz spoke followed by President’s welcome speech, MP Adam Van Koeverden, MPP Parm Gill,and other Milton Town Councillors.

The 155th Canada Day was celebrated at the Milton Sports Area Event Area A on July 2 with much joy. After singing the Canadian and Indian National Anthem, the Canadian Indian Association of Halton Region President, Mr. Jagmohan Mainra, addressed the event and welcomed all dignitaries and guests. More than 500 guests attended the function. Mr. Mainra said in his speech, “As we celebrate Canada Day today, let us embrace our differences and learn to rejoice in them. India, like Canada, has a lot of diversity and history. This is why most Indians fi nd it so easy to integrate and embrace Canadian life. Cheers to the wonderful Karam bhoomi (the land that gave us our present & future) and cheers to our Matr bhoomi (the land that gave us life). Jai Bharat, Jai Canada.”

The famous Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, also known as the Festival of Chariots, is believed to be the world’s oldest and largest chariot procession. Jagannath is another name for Lord Krishna. Once a god’s deity is established in a temple, it usually is not moved. Lord Jagannath is one of the rare deities taken out of his temple each year for a procession where it is said, he visits His devotees, and the public welcomes Him in the streets. The Ratha-yatra showcases the Lord’s love for His devotees. Milton’s ISKCON temple held its 3rd Festival of India on June 26th, 2022.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is popularly called ISKCON. It also is referred to as the Hare Krishna movement. ISKCON has more than five hundred major centers, temples and rural communities, a wide variety of community projects, including FOOD FOR LIFE, and millions of congregational members across various countries. ISKCON’s Milton branch started in the year 2017.

On the 13th of April, the Milton Muslim Moms organized their Annual Interfaith Iftar Dinner. This event used to gather four hundred people before the pandemic hit the world, this year it saw a hundred and forty guests at the Milton Seniors Center. Some of the noted members of the Milton community at the event were Mayor Gordon Krantz, MP Adam van Koeverden, Councillor Rick De Lorenzo, Councillor Sameera Ali, Councillor Kristina Derksen and Councillor Mike Cluett.

Yes you read that right! Popular event organizer and decorator, Kanwal Waseem organized Milton’s first ever Basant event on Feb 26th at the Connect Centre located at 121 Chisholm Dr.

For those of our readers who don’t know, Basant is a colourful kite flying festival celebrated in Pakistan. This festival usually falls in late January or early February and marks the beginning of spring. It is customary to wear bright yellow outfits on Basant, as it’s the colour of the mustard flowers.