Event Calendar 2015-2016
September meeting
Thursday,
September 10. 2015 Omafra 8:00 pm
“Peru”
Our first meeting of this year is all about Peru! A country on the southern hemisphere of our Continent.
In February of 2015 the Mission Team from the Knox United Church in Embro travelled to Peru. These 20 individuals had an amazing journey where new experiences happened every day! The team included Gerda Schryver, Mardine Peiders and Wendy Marshall. The mission team also got a chance to sample local life outside the walls of the orphanage they visited. After volunteering for one week, the group had a wonderful 5-day trip travelling to Cusco and on to Machu Picchu. It truly was a trip of a lifetime!
Our guest speaker this evening is Wendy Marshall. After 22 years an educator, she recently retired of Huron Park Secondary School where she taught chemistry, science, mathematics and special education. Wendy is married to husband Ron, a dairy farmer and they live on the family farm in Golspie. She has three children, one is still in university and two have returned to the farm. Wendy loves to travel. When the opportunity arose to join the Knox United Mission Team and travel to Peru, she did not hesitate to sign up!
The second part of our evening will be about the experience of our own members Peru Trip! This past March/April, Mariette Bardoel, Helmy Knoops and Coby Smits went on a 4-day hiking trip. The Inca Trail is one of the top 10 walking trails in the world. The continent’s most famous pedestrian roadway, the Inca Trail snakes 43 km’s up stone steps and through thick cloud-forest mist. A true pilgrimage, ending on day four at the famous Sun Gate, where trekkers get their first glimpse of the extravagant ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly great experience! Enjoy!
Reminder!!! Please don't forget your filled out membership form and the registration forms for the events you want to attend. Memberships are only $20.00 a season. Bring a cheque in name of Oxford WSA please as we don't accept cash or cards.
Guest are welcome to visit a meeting.
“Peru”
Our first meeting of this year is all about Peru! A country on the southern hemisphere of our Continent.
In February of 2015 the Mission Team from the Knox United Church in Embro travelled to Peru. These 20 individuals had an amazing journey where new experiences happened every day! The team included Gerda Schryver, Mardine Peiders and Wendy Marshall. The mission team also got a chance to sample local life outside the walls of the orphanage they visited. After volunteering for one week, the group had a wonderful 5-day trip travelling to Cusco and on to Machu Picchu. It truly was a trip of a lifetime!
Our guest speaker this evening is Wendy Marshall. After 22 years an educator, she recently retired of Huron Park Secondary School where she taught chemistry, science, mathematics and special education. Wendy is married to husband Ron, a dairy farmer and they live on the family farm in Golspie. She has three children, one is still in university and two have returned to the farm. Wendy loves to travel. When the opportunity arose to join the Knox United Mission Team and travel to Peru, she did not hesitate to sign up!
The second part of our evening will be about the experience of our own members Peru Trip! This past March/April, Mariette Bardoel, Helmy Knoops and Coby Smits went on a 4-day hiking trip. The Inca Trail is one of the top 10 walking trails in the world. The continent’s most famous pedestrian roadway, the Inca Trail snakes 43 km’s up stone steps and through thick cloud-forest mist. A true pilgrimage, ending on day four at the famous Sun Gate, where trekkers get their first glimpse of the extravagant ruins of Machu Picchu. A truly great experience! Enjoy!
Reminder!!! Please don't forget your filled out membership form and the registration forms for the events you want to attend. Memberships are only $20.00 a season. Bring a cheque in name of Oxford WSA please as we don't accept cash or cards.
Guest are welcome to visit a meeting.
October Meeting
Tuesday, October 6. 2015 Avon Theatre, Stratford, 7:45 pm
“Carousel”
Join us at the “Stratford Festival” for the musical “Carousel” by Rodgers & Hammerstein. The play far ahead of its time in confronting the issues at the heart of a troubled relationship, this wrenching musicl drama features a luscious score that includes “You’ll never Walk Alone”, “If I Loved YOU” and “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over”. With credit reviews like “Cast is Brilliant”, “Dazzling” and “Entertaining”, this evening will for sure delight us all!
Register for this event before Friday September 4 2015 to ensure a spot.
Register with our Treasurer Maria Donkers [email protected]
“Carousel”
Join us at the “Stratford Festival” for the musical “Carousel” by Rodgers & Hammerstein. The play far ahead of its time in confronting the issues at the heart of a troubled relationship, this wrenching musicl drama features a luscious score that includes “You’ll never Walk Alone”, “If I Loved YOU” and “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over”. With credit reviews like “Cast is Brilliant”, “Dazzling” and “Entertaining”, this evening will for sure delight us all!
Register for this event before Friday September 4 2015 to ensure a spot.
Register with our Treasurer Maria Donkers [email protected]
November Meeting
Thursday, November 12. 2015 Omafra 8:00 pm
“Kolbe Index”
The “Kolbe Index”: -What does it stand for, what does it measure, for what are we able to use it?
There are a variety of assessments to measure your cognitive abilities or personality, but the Kolbe A Index measures your instinctive way of doing things and the Result is called your M.O. (method of operation). It is the only validated assessment that measures a person's conative strengths. It gives you greater understanding of your own human nature and allows you to begin the process of maximizing your potential both personally and professionally. Nearly one million individuals have completed the Kolbe A Index on five continents. Respondents have ranged in age from 4 to 88 years old and include a wide range of ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
Mike Bossy, President and Founding Partner of the Bossy Nagy Group will lead us through this evening. He is a strategic thinker, and combines his extensive experience as a Chartered Accountant with his numerous other business designations to provide a spectrum of valued services including accounting, trust and estate planning, taxation and business consulting, with particular expertise in intergenerational business and farm transfers. Mike is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business and is a Chartered Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner, Trust and Estate Practitioner, Certified Agricultural Farm Advisor and a Kolbe Certified Consultant. Mike is also extensively involved in the community and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
“Kolbe Index”
The “Kolbe Index”: -What does it stand for, what does it measure, for what are we able to use it?
There are a variety of assessments to measure your cognitive abilities or personality, but the Kolbe A Index measures your instinctive way of doing things and the Result is called your M.O. (method of operation). It is the only validated assessment that measures a person's conative strengths. It gives you greater understanding of your own human nature and allows you to begin the process of maximizing your potential both personally and professionally. Nearly one million individuals have completed the Kolbe A Index on five continents. Respondents have ranged in age from 4 to 88 years old and include a wide range of ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
Mike Bossy, President and Founding Partner of the Bossy Nagy Group will lead us through this evening. He is a strategic thinker, and combines his extensive experience as a Chartered Accountant with his numerous other business designations to provide a spectrum of valued services including accounting, trust and estate planning, taxation and business consulting, with particular expertise in intergenerational business and farm transfers. Mike is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business and is a Chartered Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner, Trust and Estate Practitioner, Certified Agricultural Farm Advisor and a Kolbe Certified Consultant. Mike is also extensively involved in the community and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
Thursday, November 16 & Friday, November 17. 2015 AW Hall, Woodstock, 9:00 am
“First Aid Course”
Once again we will be offering the St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid/CPR plus AED course at a reduced price!
The course will run over a two-day period for everyone that will have to take the full course and a one-day session for the recertification. It is important that we receive your info regarding your current First Aid validation a.s.a.p; in order for the registration office at St. John’s to determent what you will have to take. Note that a valid, non-expired St. John Ambulance Certificate is required and a previous recertification course must not have been taken in order to take the one-day session. Otherwise you will be required to take the full two-day course! Please also note that the First Aid course may be a requirement on your farm!
The course will run from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at the CAW hall located at 126 Beale Street in Woodstock on both days, and will cost $ 95.-- for the full certification or $ 80.-- for the one day session.
Lunch will be provided by the WSA!
Remember to register before September 4 2015 with our Treasurer Maria Donkers [email protected]
“First Aid Course”
Once again we will be offering the St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid/CPR plus AED course at a reduced price!
The course will run over a two-day period for everyone that will have to take the full course and a one-day session for the recertification. It is important that we receive your info regarding your current First Aid validation a.s.a.p; in order for the registration office at St. John’s to determent what you will have to take. Note that a valid, non-expired St. John Ambulance Certificate is required and a previous recertification course must not have been taken in order to take the one-day session. Otherwise you will be required to take the full two-day course! Please also note that the First Aid course may be a requirement on your farm!
The course will run from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at the CAW hall located at 126 Beale Street in Woodstock on both days, and will cost $ 95.-- for the full certification or $ 80.-- for the one day session.
Lunch will be provided by the WSA!
Remember to register before September 4 2015 with our Treasurer Maria Donkers [email protected]
December Meeting
"How to stage your home for Christmas!"
Tuesday, December 8. 2015 Omafra 8:00pm
Christmas Season! Let your house shine and sparkle on the inside too!
Do you ever wonder how they do it if you look at these pictures in magazines? This year we will get some help and some insight from an interior decorating consultant. Don’t worry you will not have to go out of your way and buy all new, rather you will learn to do with what you already have! But some new will probably be nice to o! so wait until after this evening to go on your shopping spree!
Our guest speaker will be Roy Yongs from Zorra Township. He comes from a retail background and has enjoyed being an interior-decorating consultant for the past 27 year. This involves helping clients with colours, window treatments, shopping for accessories and helping them choose there finishes and colours for new homes. Roy has been involved in design presentations with different organizations over the last 15 years and especially enjoys the Christmas presentations. Roy was also the key decorator for the Embro Christmas Tour of Homes in 2012. If you like to know how to stage your house for this years Christmas in an inexpensive and creative way, then come out for this fun evening.
We also will hold a cookie exchange. So if you like to enjoy some other treats then your own and are exited that someone else will enjoy your creations, then bring your cookies in a box and keep smiling!
To round of this evening, our own WSA Choir will entertain us!
Christmas Season! Let your house shine and sparkle on the inside too!
Do you ever wonder how they do it if you look at these pictures in magazines? This year we will get some help and some insight from an interior decorating consultant. Don’t worry you will not have to go out of your way and buy all new, rather you will learn to do with what you already have! But some new will probably be nice to o! so wait until after this evening to go on your shopping spree!
Our guest speaker will be Roy Yongs from Zorra Township. He comes from a retail background and has enjoyed being an interior-decorating consultant for the past 27 year. This involves helping clients with colours, window treatments, shopping for accessories and helping them choose there finishes and colours for new homes. Roy has been involved in design presentations with different organizations over the last 15 years and especially enjoys the Christmas presentations. Roy was also the key decorator for the Embro Christmas Tour of Homes in 2012. If you like to know how to stage your house for this years Christmas in an inexpensive and creative way, then come out for this fun evening.
We also will hold a cookie exchange. So if you like to enjoy some other treats then your own and are exited that someone else will enjoy your creations, then bring your cookies in a box and keep smiling!
To round of this evening, our own WSA Choir will entertain us!
January Meeting
New Years Social: “60’s & 70’s
Friday, January 8. 2016 Craigowan Golf &Country Club 8:00 pm
Bring your spouse/friend, be entertained, dance, socialize and celebrate! We leave it up to you, if you would like to come out in your 60’s or 70’s look!
We will be entertained by the comedian Feb Denis Grignon Performing comedy that’s minus the naughty words and cheap put downs! In his 25 + years as a comedian, he’s always has been more comfortable with an act that works above the neck, not below the belt. Since 2010, Dennis has been part of comedian James Cunningham’s “Funny Money Team”. The multi-award winning program travels across Canada providing unbiased financial information to help high school student understand and manage their current financial affairs, and those they will face after Graduation. Denis ability to research his audiences and custom write material that has made his Comedy a hit with major corporations and organizations, small rural groups, farmers and educators.
“Fred Hale and Band” will entertain us throughout the night. Born and raised in small town Ontario, Fred began his music career as a guitar player in a rock and roll band in high school. After graduating in business at the Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, he returned to the world of music, gigging full time at nights and studying jazz guitar and voice during the day. He recorded his first album in 1993 and released a single called “In the City”. Since then Fred has collaborated and performed with many key Canadian Country artists such as Beverley Mahood, John Landry and Diane Chase and along the way has become the prestigious Canadian songwriting award.
Whether the event is corporate, festival stage, wedding, or even pub night, their show is highly interactive, highly energetic and impossible not to enjoy!
Please remember that this evening is only for our members and one guest each!
If you aren't in the mood to swing with the music, just sit back and take in the songs and celebrate “New Year” with WSA!
Tickets are $ 20.-- available at the first meeting on September 10. 2015 or through Maria Donkers: 519-349-2502
Bring your spouse/friend, be entertained, dance, socialize and celebrate! We leave it up to you, if you would like to come out in your 60’s or 70’s look!
We will be entertained by the comedian Feb Denis Grignon Performing comedy that’s minus the naughty words and cheap put downs! In his 25 + years as a comedian, he’s always has been more comfortable with an act that works above the neck, not below the belt. Since 2010, Dennis has been part of comedian James Cunningham’s “Funny Money Team”. The multi-award winning program travels across Canada providing unbiased financial information to help high school student understand and manage their current financial affairs, and those they will face after Graduation. Denis ability to research his audiences and custom write material that has made his Comedy a hit with major corporations and organizations, small rural groups, farmers and educators.
“Fred Hale and Band” will entertain us throughout the night. Born and raised in small town Ontario, Fred began his music career as a guitar player in a rock and roll band in high school. After graduating in business at the Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, he returned to the world of music, gigging full time at nights and studying jazz guitar and voice during the day. He recorded his first album in 1993 and released a single called “In the City”. Since then Fred has collaborated and performed with many key Canadian Country artists such as Beverley Mahood, John Landry and Diane Chase and along the way has become the prestigious Canadian songwriting award.
Whether the event is corporate, festival stage, wedding, or even pub night, their show is highly interactive, highly energetic and impossible not to enjoy!
Please remember that this evening is only for our members and one guest each!
If you aren't in the mood to swing with the music, just sit back and take in the songs and celebrate “New Year” with WSA!
Tickets are $ 20.-- available at the first meeting on September 10. 2015 or through Maria Donkers: 519-349-2502
February Meeting
“Winter-Workshop”
“Peace of Mind”
Mental Wellness for Women
Mental Health means striking a balance in all aspects of your life; social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Reaching a balance is a learning process. At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again. Your personal balance will be unique, and your challenge will be to stay mentally healthy by keeping that balance. Assessing our mental health is not as simple to do as measuring our physical health. There are no scales or endurance tests that rate mental fitness. Understanding the characteristics that make up good mental health will help.
Our winter workshop will devote the morning to learning about mental health and mental illness.
We will start our morning with our WSA member Gerda Schryver who will share her personal story of her own struggles with mental health, going through therapy in Holland and in Canada. She will talk about her losses in her life and how she moved on and how she started to believe in herself again.
Katherine Studiman is the Team Leader for Crisis and Outreach Services at Canadian Mental Health Association – Oxford County. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from King’s University College and a Master Degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been working in the field of mental health for the past 5 years.
She provides counseling services to those that struggle with symptoms of mental illness and specializes in grief and bereavement.
She will discuss how to strike a balance between our social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental wellbeing, so we can experience optimal Mental Health. Mental illness and the journey to mental wellbeing will also be discussed.
Lunch: will be served by “Panino” and will include Lasagna, Penne Alfredo, Salad and Buns
The afternoon activities will include 4 Body and Mind Activities that will have a positive impact on
Women’s Wellness.
Join us for:
Belly dancing with Sarah Croft: Sarah teaches belly dancing since nine years. She has instructed classes at the YMCA Woodstock and London. She teaches the Egyptian Style which involves a great deal of core strength and control.
Zumba with Jackie Czuper: Three years ago, Jackie bravely went to her first Zumba Fitness class, hiding at the back of the room. Three month later, she took her first training course to become a Zumba instructor. She is now teaching at the Victoria Park Community Centre and feels fantastic.
Yoga by Andrea Kane: Andrea was first introduced to the practice of yoga when she was 7 years old. As she became aware of the healing powers of yoga many years later, she fell in love with the transcendental connection between the mind body and breathe. She currently teaches Hatha Vinyasa flow at the YMCA in Woodstock.
Tai Chi by Sharon Arbuckle: Sharon started this complete and integrated exercise that works all of the body’s systems deeply yet gently 7 years ago, because it looked amazing. She is practicing and teaching it since.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Emmanuel Church
To register in advance for this day contact our Treasurer Maria Donkers
Cost: Member - $ 30.00 Non Member - $ 35.00
Our winter workshop will devote the morning to learning about mental health and mental illness.
We will start our morning with our WSA member Gerda Schryver who will share her personal story of her own struggles with mental health, going through therapy in Holland and in Canada. She will talk about her losses in her life and how she moved on and how she started to believe in herself again.
Katherine Studiman is the Team Leader for Crisis and Outreach Services at Canadian Mental Health Association – Oxford County. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from King’s University College and a Master Degree in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has been working in the field of mental health for the past 5 years.
She provides counseling services to those that struggle with symptoms of mental illness and specializes in grief and bereavement.
She will discuss how to strike a balance between our social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental wellbeing, so we can experience optimal Mental Health. Mental illness and the journey to mental wellbeing will also be discussed.
Lunch: will be served by “Panino” and will include Lasagna, Penne Alfredo, Salad and Buns
The afternoon activities will include 4 Body and Mind Activities that will have a positive impact on
Women’s Wellness.
Join us for:
Belly dancing with Sarah Croft: Sarah teaches belly dancing since nine years. She has instructed classes at the YMCA Woodstock and London. She teaches the Egyptian Style which involves a great deal of core strength and control.
Zumba with Jackie Czuper: Three years ago, Jackie bravely went to her first Zumba Fitness class, hiding at the back of the room. Three month later, she took her first training course to become a Zumba instructor. She is now teaching at the Victoria Park Community Centre and feels fantastic.
Yoga by Andrea Kane: Andrea was first introduced to the practice of yoga when she was 7 years old. As she became aware of the healing powers of yoga many years later, she fell in love with the transcendental connection between the mind body and breathe. She currently teaches Hatha Vinyasa flow at the YMCA in Woodstock.
Tai Chi by Sharon Arbuckle: Sharon started this complete and integrated exercise that works all of the body’s systems deeply yet gently 7 years ago, because it looked amazing. She is practicing and teaching it since.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Emmanuel Church
To register in advance for this day contact our Treasurer Maria Donkers
Cost: Member - $ 30.00 Non Member - $ 35.00
March 2016
The Real Dirt on Farming
”and why the world needs good farm advocates! "
Last Winter our WSA member Wendy Colcuc and her husband received a letter from a Grade 3 student in the GTA region, persuasive them that conventional horticultural production practices are hurting the soil etc. and then explaining the benefits of organic agriculture. So now what?
This is a real situation that they are faced with and for sure other farmers have faced these situations of being on the defense about their production practices too.
Tonight we want to find out and want to talk about: “Why the world needs good farm advocates and how to be a good farm advocate”.
Our Guest speaker Kelly Dynard, will talk to us about this critical farm topic. Kelly is a graduate of the Honours English program at Wilfrid Laurier and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. She spent seven years working as a journalist before becoming the Communications Manager for the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association in 1998. In 2005, Kelly moved to the Ontario Farm Animal Council (now Farm & Food Care Ontario) to serve as the coalition’s Communications Manager. She is the co-founder of the “Speak Up” program, a program that gives farmers the skills and confidence they need to be able to tell their stories about their farms and farm families to the public – whether it be through media interviews, presentations to municipal councils, tours of school groups or presentations to community groups. Over the last few years, hundreds of farmers across Canada have now gone through the “Speak Up” training program.
The second part of the night Kelly will guide us through: “How we can use social media to tell our positive story on agriculture”.
This evening will be filled with information and will help to find or own positive voice as an advocate in agriculture.
Tuesday, March 21. 2016 O.M.A.F.R.A. 8.00 pm
This is a real situation that they are faced with and for sure other farmers have faced these situations of being on the defense about their production practices too.
Tonight we want to find out and want to talk about: “Why the world needs good farm advocates and how to be a good farm advocate”.
Our Guest speaker Kelly Dynard, will talk to us about this critical farm topic. Kelly is a graduate of the Honours English program at Wilfrid Laurier and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. She spent seven years working as a journalist before becoming the Communications Manager for the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association in 1998. In 2005, Kelly moved to the Ontario Farm Animal Council (now Farm & Food Care Ontario) to serve as the coalition’s Communications Manager. She is the co-founder of the “Speak Up” program, a program that gives farmers the skills and confidence they need to be able to tell their stories about their farms and farm families to the public – whether it be through media interviews, presentations to municipal councils, tours of school groups or presentations to community groups. Over the last few years, hundreds of farmers across Canada have now gone through the “Speak Up” training program.
The second part of the night Kelly will guide us through: “How we can use social media to tell our positive story on agriculture”.
This evening will be filled with information and will help to find or own positive voice as an advocate in agriculture.
Tuesday, March 21. 2016 O.M.A.F.R.A. 8.00 pm
April 2016
“Farming with parents”
the good, the bad & ugly and how it shaped my life
Brent Royce of Listowel will be our Guest Speaker tonight! He has been named the 2015 recipient of the Farm & Food Care Champion Award.
Royce grows crops and raises turkeys on his family farm. He is a strong advocate for agriculture, using every opportunity available to him to talk about farming with non-farming Canadians. He was among the first to sign up for Farm & Food Care’s Speak Up ambassador training and has since become a regular interviewee by many Canadian media sources. Royce actively engages the public through social media using Twitter. Since 2011 he has posted over 4500 tweets about the day-to-day workings of his farm and has engaged audiences with several blog posts.
“Annual Business Meeting” There will be Executive and Planning Committee Positions open to be filled for
two years, with an optional third year. Nominations can be submitted in advance, or at the annual meeting.
During the annual business meeting, voting will take place to fill the vacated positions.
Monday, April 11. 2016 O.M.A.F.R.A. 8:00 pm
Royce grows crops and raises turkeys on his family farm. He is a strong advocate for agriculture, using every opportunity available to him to talk about farming with non-farming Canadians. He was among the first to sign up for Farm & Food Care’s Speak Up ambassador training and has since become a regular interviewee by many Canadian media sources. Royce actively engages the public through social media using Twitter. Since 2011 he has posted over 4500 tweets about the day-to-day workings of his farm and has engaged audiences with several blog posts.
“Annual Business Meeting” There will be Executive and Planning Committee Positions open to be filled for
two years, with an optional third year. Nominations can be submitted in advance, or at the annual meeting.
During the annual business meeting, voting will take place to fill the vacated positions.
Monday, April 11. 2016 O.M.A.F.R.A. 8:00 pm
June 2016
Car-tour!!
We are visiting Steed & Company Lavender Farm in Sparta! They expect us to be there a 10:00am. We will start with coffee and after that we will enjoy a guided tour. Hopefully the lavender is in full bloom by then.
We will then have lunch at Pinecroft in Aylmer and in the afternoon will visit the Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum with a guided tour.
Please not that this is a car tour! So you are able to make your own carpool arrangements!
register in advance for this day with our treasurer Maria Donkers
Cost: Member - $20.00 Non Member $ 25.00
We will then have lunch at Pinecroft in Aylmer and in the afternoon will visit the Gay Lea Dairy Heritage Museum with a guided tour.
Please not that this is a car tour! So you are able to make your own carpool arrangements!
register in advance for this day with our treasurer Maria Donkers
Cost: Member - $20.00 Non Member $ 25.00
