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Hey Beautiful Day Clarenville

Almost three years ago Greg Pittman, Winter Games Host Committee Chair, approached me about being part of the organizing committee for the 2014 Winter Games that would be held in Clarenville in March of 2014. During that same conversation, in a very enthusiastic voice, Greg said - "and I'd like us to make a video of Clarenville...". That was the start of a project that would boil down two years’ work into three minutes. It encompassed shooting over 250 shots of Clarenville through its four seasons, at every imaginable event - in High Definition. I took Greg's proposal to my colleagues here at the College. Deidra Strowbridge is an expert at design and crafting ideas. She has been behind our award winning Enactus team. Shannon Oake is an extraordinary visual designer and expert photographer, and Jody Locke is a master at video production, editing and photography - Shannon and Jody's work is behind a lot of the new media production that the find in several Distribu

2014 Clarenville Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame: Corwin Mills

In early March, the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards presentation. Three businesses were recognized for their contribution and growth - Quantum Studio Design s (Jason Soper),  The WAVE Hotel  and Fitness Centre (Manager Kim Greenland)) and Hollingside Images (Ed Vincent)  .  Corwin Mills, QC was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.  I addition to pictures please find a video of the awards presentation. Hall of Fame Inductee Corwin Mills QC, 2014 Business Award winner Kim Greenland - The Wave Hotel and Fitness Centre, 2014 Business Awards winner Jason Soper - Quantum Studio Designs, and MHA Hon. Ross Wiseman (Missing from photo Community Cares Award - Ed Vincent - Hollingside Images)

The Clarenville2014 NL Winter Games Torch Relay

On the lead-up to the NL Winter Games beginning March 1, the Clarenville2014 Host Committee held a Torch Relay where 20 runners carried the Torch through town to the Clarenville Middle School.  On March 1, the final 5 runners will carry the torch into the Events Centre for the opening of the Games.  
Clarenville's 2014 Budget

Setting the Record Straight - Down on the Farm

I imagine by now I/We have upset some 'local' farmers. This week's edition of the PACKET has reported correctly that the Community Development and Communications committee of Council, which I am the Chair, turned down a request to take part in a buy local campaign for farmers. (see The Packet Down on the farm - Dec 12, 2013 Edition).  We did indeed turn the opportunity to participate in the campaign down, not because it was a bad idea, but rather because it was a much better project for our farming oriented neighbouring towns of Musgravetown & Lethbridge. There are no farming businesses in the Town of Clarenville I am a firm believer in building on strengths and the fact of the matter is that farming is simply not one of the Town of Clarenville's strengths.  It is strength for the Musgravetown area - they know the farmers, the farms and the area, and as a result they would be much more informed, credible and supportive player in the initiative. As as Town, o

Tribute to Mayor Best in MNL Newsletter

Municipal News is the monthly publication of Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador.  This month's edition features former Mayor Fred Best on the occasion of his retirement.  I have included the article here, the full newsletter is available at    http://www.municipalnl.ca/userfiles/files/MNEWS%20Dec%202013%20low%20res(1).pdf

GottaLoveOurWinter.ca - Boosting Clarenville as a Winter Destination

This past weekend, Clarenville's tourism community celebrated two significant milestones.  First, White Hills Resort launched its new season with an open house in the beautiful main building at the Resort.  2014 marks the 25th year of the resort and with newly appointed manager Jason Crawford, coupled with some major events planned for the resort over the winter, it is shaping up to be a great year for the Resort's Silver anniversary.  Take this opportunity to see a short video of the event here: Second, the Resort, the Town and their Partners launched a "one-stop" web space that will be promoted to tourists and residents alike. GottaLoveOurWinter.ca reflects the fact that there is a lot to love about winter here in Clarenville and we want to share its joys with others. Below is a video of the launch.  Be sure to check out the website at  http://gottaloveourwinter.ca/ . Historical White Hills Resort The Resort operated as a private business for m

Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and You

Santa Claus Parade is Coming to Clarenville - Be a part of 50 years of Lion traditions!

After 50 years as a Club, the Clarenville Lion's Club has many traditions that have contributed to making Clarenville what it is today.  One of these traditions is the annual Lions Santa Claus Parade.      If you're new to Clarenville, a lifelong resident, or a kid or a kid at heart,  you should never miss out on the opportunity to take part in the annual Lion's Santa Claus Parade. This year's parade will be held on Saturday Dec. 7th. 2013. 2013 marks the 50th year for the Lions Club and they are looking forward to making this parade the best ever. To take part please contact Ches Stanford at 466-2520 or Roy Fisher at 466-2514. Through the dedicated efforts of many volunteers in the Lions Club and participating organizations the parade creates a new set of memories each year.   You have a month to think about how you can be a part of the parade, build a float, or be a Mummer in it - try it - be a part of  50 years of traditions!  I've included s

More Awards for Water Based Engineering at Clarenville High

Clarenville High school's award winning Robotics team has added boat building and driving to their repertoire of engineered capabilities. Despite this is the first year CHS has taken part in the competition, the 8 student team rocketed their way through the zig-zag course at Memorial University's Marine Institute with their winning entrant - the E.S. Minno (Electric Ship!)

Swearing in of the New Clarenville Town Council

On October 8, 2013 Clarenville's new Town Council was sworn in at a public ceremony held in the Clarenville Events Centre.  Outgoing mayor Fred Best officiated the event.  Please click the video to start. Council Sub-Committees Community Development and Communications Tilley/Avery/Monk Finance and Administration Smith/Tilley/Avery Public Works Bailey/Harris/Smith Recreation Harris/Monk/Bailey

Random Age-Friendly Communities Computers For Seniors

Looking to help out in Clarenville?  There are plenty of volunteer opportunities that can help you get to know people and help you in your career. One such opportunity is a program called COMPUTERS FOR SENIORS.   This initiative is run by the  Random Age-Friendly Communities group and the goal is to train seniors in the use of computers.  Over the past number of years Computer training volunteers have instructed over 150 seniors of Clarenville and the surrounding communities in basic computer usage.   Random Aged Friendly and its partner, College of the North Atlantic, is currently recruiting resource persons to assist in the delivery of our next class which will run from October 22 to November 21 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. at Clarenville campus. The training to be offered to seniors will be very fundamental, so it is not necessary for resource persons to have extensive training in or instructional experience with computers.  As a resource person, you sh

HELP WANTED - PEOPLE NEEDED

“Help Wanted” signs adorn our town.   If you're a teenager, and looking for a job, odds are you’ll be in luck. What’s good for youth and for people looking for retail type jobs however is not so good for the businesses that are busy trying to recruit for them.   Last week’s edition of THE PACKET told the story of how a shortage of retail labour in Clarenville is challenging some businesses, and how one business has taken advantage of the Foreign Worker Program to hire staff from the Philippines ( Local businesses recruit foreigners to fill the gaps Sept 26)  .   This situation is not unique to Clarenville.  In Happy Valley-Goose Bay over 200 foreign workers are employed in the fast-food/retail industry.  These stories come as a prelude to the Province launching a Discussion  road-show to discuss the challenges being faced by communities and business as baby boomers retire/die while and fewer young people enter the workforce/communities to replace them.( See :  http://www.g

Clarenville Candidate Forum

Over 100 residents came out to the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce sponsored Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 17.   10 of the 11 candidates for council spoke for 7 minutes each on what her/she could contribute to the leadership of Clarenville over the next four years. Frazer Russell has been acclaimed the Town’s new mayor, and he was also in attendance. Forum Chair: Susan Hollett Timer: Adrian Power Photo/Video: Harrison Tille Representing the Chamber:   Richard Power The Candidates: Candidates were assigned their turn in the order by draw  Jill Russell-Monk      David Harris Rod Nicholl Heber Smith Ashling O’Mahony Avery  Bill Bailey Paul Tilley Brian Smith Graham Bursey Add caption  John Pickett Candidate Jeff Bursey was unable to attend the forum Election Day is Tuesday, September 24 – P