Organized by Yarker Colebrook and District Community Association
Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
This year we are organizing a walk to the Parks in Colebrook and Yarker to celebrate Earth Hour. At 9:00: PM in both locations we will have a local minister perform a blessing for the Earth.
We are currently organizing some draw prizes for both locations. If you would like to contribute a draw prize, please contact Rob Renaud (613)377-6385 or robertrenaud@persona.ca
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Steering Committee meeting on Monday, Feb 22
Next meeting of the Steering Committee for Yarker Colebrook and District Community Association is scheduled for 7 pm on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 in Waterfall Tearoom (upstairs).
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
General Community Survey - overview
Once again, great thanks to all who took part in the Survey. We appreciate that you were kind enough to spare some of your time to answer our questions. Many thanks to all great people who supplied us with their suggestions and ideas what could be done for our community.
Total number of replies was 70. There were 26 Surveys filled on-line and 44 paper-copies.
1. First question was: What are the three most important things you like about the community?
37 replies (around 54%) were: "nice, friendly people; great neighbours"
26 replies (around 37%): "that it's small, rural, quiet place"
Apart from that respondents mentioned the Napanee River (12 people - 18%) and the trail (11 people - 17%), Yarker Family School (9 people) and Library (7 people), history and heritage (9 people) and that our area is beautiful/picturesque (9 people).
Other answers were: distance from Kingston and Napanee, Fire Department, local churches and shops, wildlife.
2. Second question was: What are areas that you would like to see improved in the community?
24 people (35%) replied that they would like to see "the community spirit improved; more local events and activities; more opportunities of meeting other community members"
13 people (19%) would like to see "the looks of the area improved; properties and yards clean-up"
10 people (14 %) would like to see local parks better cared for, 7 people (10 %) would like to see the ball field better used/ better cared for, 6 people would like to see improvements and better care for the playgrounds and 6 people would like to have a garbage pick-up service in the area. Other answers are: that we need a community bulletin board, skating rink, snow-removal from side-walks (or generally better side-walks), coffee shop/pub/restaurant open whole year and whole week, access to waterfalls, safer roads, mail delivery.
3. Third question was: What age group best describes the adults in your household?
20-30 yrs - 1 reply
31-45 yrs - 23 replies (34%)
46-60 yrs - 27 replies (38%)
61-70 yrs - 14 replies (20%)
over 70 yrs - 4 replies
4. Fourth question was: If you have children at home, how many are: Of pre-school age/ In public school/ In high school/ In college or university/ Not at school?
Replies:
Children of pre-school age: 8
Children in public school: 30
Children in high school: 12
Children in college or university: 6
About "children not at school" we received several very confusing replies (for example someone replied: "26")
5. Fifth question was: What activities you would like to see continued or established in the community?
In Sports/Recreation category most respondents indicated Baseball/Soccer - 42 replies (60%)
Kayaking (or canoeing) had 21 replies (30%)
Snowmobiling/ATV - 20 replies (29%)
Other indicated activities included: yoga, ice skating, hockey, swimming, tennis, running, senior sports, youth sports, Tai Chi
In History/Heritage category:
24 people (33%) indicated Historic Documentation
48 people (68%) indicated Village Beautification/Restoration
40 people (57%) indicated Civic Holiday Celebrations
Other: ensuring that existing heritage applications are not ignored, historic information nights, return of Governor Simcoe Day
In Arts and Culture category:
50 people (71%) indicated Outdoor/Indoor Concerts (few respondents declared that they prefer outdoor concerts and some that they prefer indoor concerts)
31 people (44%) indicated Arts Festivals
38 people (55%) indicated Arts and Crafts Workshops
Other: activities for children, dances, art galleries, quilt making, crafts fairs, theatre
In Environmental category:
34 people (49%) indicated Ecological Preservation/Remediation
31 people (44%) indicated Gardening/In Bloom Tours
46 people (66%) indicated Eco Hiking/Walking
Other: cleaning on Earth Day, cycling, gardening club, caring for trees, Farmers Market
In Social Life category:
27 people (38%) indicated Seniors Programs
22 people (31%) indicated Local Business Programs
15 people (21%) indicated Pre-School Programs
Other: retirement homes, bar or restaurant, pot-lucks, activities for youth
6. Sixth question was: How important are seniors services in the community?
25 people (35%)replied Very Important
29 people (42%)replied Important
4 people replied Unimportant
4 people replied Completely Unimportant
7. Seventh question was: How would you rate the importance of these major categories of activities?
Sports/Recreation got:
34 replies (49%) Very Important
23 replies (33%) Important
5 replies Unimportant
4 replies Completely Unimportant
History/Heritage got:
18 replies (26%) Very Important
37 replies(53%) Important
4 replies Unimportant
4 replies Completely Unimportant
Arts and Culture got:
21 (30%)replies Very Important
32 (46%)replies Important
8 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
Environmental got:
32 replies(46%) Very Important
25 replies(35%) Important
5 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
Social Life got:
27 replies (39%) Very Important
26 replies (37%) Important
9 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
8. Eight question was: Which of the above major activities are you most interested in:
(There was a problem with this question: in on-line version one could mark only one answer, in paper version people would mark several answers, some would mark all of them)
Sports/Recreation got 27 voices (39%)
History/Heritage 15 (22%)
Arts and Culture 22 (31%)
Environmental 24 (33%)
Social Life 17 (24%)
9. Ninth question was: Are you interested in becoming a member of the Association:
22 people (32%) replied Yes (of which 4 didn't give their contact data)
31 people (45%) replied No
4 replied Maybe
others did not reply to this question
10. We asked for your suggestions that would help the Steering Committee in forming the mandate and focus for the YCDCA.
Suggestions were:
to cooperate with other groups in the community, to provide more facilities (like restaurant, swimming pool, gym, skating rink) or to ensure that existing facilities (like ball park) are used and cared for, to provide better means of communication within the community, to take care for the look and cleanness of the village, to organize certain events (Simcoe Day, Canada Day, one proposal of Community Flea Market in the spring), to improve the community spirit, to organise teams of volunteers who would take care of the parks and other issues.
11. The section "Contact Information" was optional:
32 people (46%) gave us their contact data, others preferred to stay anonymous
12. We asked respondents to identify existing programs or associations that we should be aware of:
Replies: "the old Recreation Committee", Yoga at the Church, Fire Department, Ball Field Management, Township, MP, Methodist Church, Riverside United Church, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Mens Breakfast, concerts on last Sunday of each month in the Methodist Church, a group for 50+, Out in the Sticks Cultural Association, to take an example of village of Wilton.
Total number of replies was 70. There were 26 Surveys filled on-line and 44 paper-copies.
1. First question was: What are the three most important things you like about the community?
37 replies (around 54%) were: "nice, friendly people; great neighbours"
26 replies (around 37%): "that it's small, rural, quiet place"
Apart from that respondents mentioned the Napanee River (12 people - 18%) and the trail (11 people - 17%), Yarker Family School (9 people) and Library (7 people), history and heritage (9 people) and that our area is beautiful/picturesque (9 people).
Other answers were: distance from Kingston and Napanee, Fire Department, local churches and shops, wildlife.
2. Second question was: What are areas that you would like to see improved in the community?
24 people (35%) replied that they would like to see "the community spirit improved; more local events and activities; more opportunities of meeting other community members"
13 people (19%) would like to see "the looks of the area improved; properties and yards clean-up"
10 people (14 %) would like to see local parks better cared for, 7 people (10 %) would like to see the ball field better used/ better cared for, 6 people would like to see improvements and better care for the playgrounds and 6 people would like to have a garbage pick-up service in the area. Other answers are: that we need a community bulletin board, skating rink, snow-removal from side-walks (or generally better side-walks), coffee shop/pub/restaurant open whole year and whole week, access to waterfalls, safer roads, mail delivery.
3. Third question was: What age group best describes the adults in your household?
20-30 yrs - 1 reply
31-45 yrs - 23 replies (34%)
46-60 yrs - 27 replies (38%)
61-70 yrs - 14 replies (20%)
over 70 yrs - 4 replies
4. Fourth question was: If you have children at home, how many are: Of pre-school age/ In public school/ In high school/ In college or university/ Not at school?
Replies:
Children of pre-school age: 8
Children in public school: 30
Children in high school: 12
Children in college or university: 6
About "children not at school" we received several very confusing replies (for example someone replied: "26")
5. Fifth question was: What activities you would like to see continued or established in the community?
In Sports/Recreation category most respondents indicated Baseball/Soccer - 42 replies (60%)
Kayaking (or canoeing) had 21 replies (30%)
Snowmobiling/ATV - 20 replies (29%)
Other indicated activities included: yoga, ice skating, hockey, swimming, tennis, running, senior sports, youth sports, Tai Chi
In History/Heritage category:
24 people (33%) indicated Historic Documentation
48 people (68%) indicated Village Beautification/Restoration
40 people (57%) indicated Civic Holiday Celebrations
Other: ensuring that existing heritage applications are not ignored, historic information nights, return of Governor Simcoe Day
In Arts and Culture category:
50 people (71%) indicated Outdoor/Indoor Concerts (few respondents declared that they prefer outdoor concerts and some that they prefer indoor concerts)
31 people (44%) indicated Arts Festivals
38 people (55%) indicated Arts and Crafts Workshops
Other: activities for children, dances, art galleries, quilt making, crafts fairs, theatre
In Environmental category:
34 people (49%) indicated Ecological Preservation/Remediation
31 people (44%) indicated Gardening/In Bloom Tours
46 people (66%) indicated Eco Hiking/Walking
Other: cleaning on Earth Day, cycling, gardening club, caring for trees, Farmers Market
In Social Life category:
27 people (38%) indicated Seniors Programs
22 people (31%) indicated Local Business Programs
15 people (21%) indicated Pre-School Programs
Other: retirement homes, bar or restaurant, pot-lucks, activities for youth
6. Sixth question was: How important are seniors services in the community?
25 people (35%)replied Very Important
29 people (42%)replied Important
4 people replied Unimportant
4 people replied Completely Unimportant
7. Seventh question was: How would you rate the importance of these major categories of activities?
Sports/Recreation got:
34 replies (49%) Very Important
23 replies (33%) Important
5 replies Unimportant
4 replies Completely Unimportant
History/Heritage got:
18 replies (26%) Very Important
37 replies(53%) Important
4 replies Unimportant
4 replies Completely Unimportant
Arts and Culture got:
21 (30%)replies Very Important
32 (46%)replies Important
8 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
Environmental got:
32 replies(46%) Very Important
25 replies(35%) Important
5 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
Social Life got:
27 replies (39%) Very Important
26 replies (37%) Important
9 replies Unimportant
2 replies Completely Unimportant
8. Eight question was: Which of the above major activities are you most interested in:
(There was a problem with this question: in on-line version one could mark only one answer, in paper version people would mark several answers, some would mark all of them)
Sports/Recreation got 27 voices (39%)
History/Heritage 15 (22%)
Arts and Culture 22 (31%)
Environmental 24 (33%)
Social Life 17 (24%)
9. Ninth question was: Are you interested in becoming a member of the Association:
22 people (32%) replied Yes (of which 4 didn't give their contact data)
31 people (45%) replied No
4 replied Maybe
others did not reply to this question
10. We asked for your suggestions that would help the Steering Committee in forming the mandate and focus for the YCDCA.
Suggestions were:
to cooperate with other groups in the community, to provide more facilities (like restaurant, swimming pool, gym, skating rink) or to ensure that existing facilities (like ball park) are used and cared for, to provide better means of communication within the community, to take care for the look and cleanness of the village, to organize certain events (Simcoe Day, Canada Day, one proposal of Community Flea Market in the spring), to improve the community spirit, to organise teams of volunteers who would take care of the parks and other issues.
11. The section "Contact Information" was optional:
32 people (46%) gave us their contact data, others preferred to stay anonymous
12. We asked respondents to identify existing programs or associations that we should be aware of:
Replies: "the old Recreation Committee", Yoga at the Church, Fire Department, Ball Field Management, Township, MP, Methodist Church, Riverside United Church, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Mens Breakfast, concerts on last Sunday of each month in the Methodist Church, a group for 50+, Out in the Sticks Cultural Association, to take an example of village of Wilton.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Community Survey
Great thanks to everyone who took part in the survey! The survey is now closed and we will publish an overview in next few days.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Cultural Centre opening in Yarker
A group of Yarker artists formed a cultural association, which will be providing an access to art and culture for Yarker and area inhabitants. The Out in the Sticks Cultural Centre, run by Out in the Sticks Cultural Association, opens on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 2838 County Road 6. Before the front part of the building, designed for future Art Gallery, is renovated, the activities run by the the association will take place in private space of members - Anna and Andrzej's family home, so please use the side entrance. The first event will be a film screening, first of the Film Discussion Club series. European film "Underground" by Emir Kusturica will be shown. This movie has gained great fame and appreciation in Europe and has been honoured with several awards, including Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival. The screening will be preceded by a short lecture and followed by a discussion. Admission is free, but if you wish to make a voluntary donation for the association you are most welcome to do so. Please find the details of this event and other activities of the Cultural Centre at: http://www.outinthesticks.ca/
Apart from Film Discussion Club, the Centre will run lectures, workshops, concerts, activities for children and youth and the Art Gallery (opening in June). The organizers hope for moral and financial support from local community. Volunteers, donations and submissions by local artists are welcome!
Apart from Film Discussion Club, the Centre will run lectures, workshops, concerts, activities for children and youth and the Art Gallery (opening in June). The organizers hope for moral and financial support from local community. Volunteers, donations and submissions by local artists are welcome!
Yarker, Colebrook and District Community Survey
So far 21 people have completed the Survey on-line. We don't know yet how many paper copies have been filled out. We really hope for community input, which will give us knowledge about community members' needs, likes and dislikes. Great thanks to all who took part in our Survey. Your voice is very very important. Please pass the news about the Survey to your neighbours and friends and encourage them to take the part too. Online version may be completed here.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Yarker, Colebrook and District Community Survey
In the past years the Yarker/Colebrook community has produced a wide variety of recreational sporting activities, community events and heritage and cultural enhancements for the enjoyment of all residents. These activities were supported and in many cases organized and developed by previous community associations. It has been recently recognized that there is a need and a desire to refresh the spirit of these past undertakings and once again provide an array of community activities geared to our current needs.
A Steering Committee for a possible new Yarker/Colebrook & District Community Association has been formed to explore the viability of such an Association. To gain a better understanding of the community’s current interests, needs and future projects and as first step in developing guidelines for the association, the following survey has been prepared to canvass the opinions of the area residents.
Based on the findings reached from the completed surveys, the Steering Committee will then form the general mandate and focus for a new Yarker/Colebrook & District Community Association (YCDCA) early in the new year.
The Steering Committee would ask you to complete all questions and provide additional comment as appropriate. You may complete it online here or request an e-mail version from: yarker.community@gmail.com. Apart from that every household will receive printed copy of the survey by mail. These may be returned to the Lucky Dollar Store, the Riverside United Church, Free Methodist Church, the Yarker Family School and Library or the Colebrook General Store.
Please complete the survey on or before January 29th, 2010
A Steering Committee for a possible new Yarker/Colebrook & District Community Association has been formed to explore the viability of such an Association. To gain a better understanding of the community’s current interests, needs and future projects and as first step in developing guidelines for the association, the following survey has been prepared to canvass the opinions of the area residents.
Based on the findings reached from the completed surveys, the Steering Committee will then form the general mandate and focus for a new Yarker/Colebrook & District Community Association (YCDCA) early in the new year.
The Steering Committee would ask you to complete all questions and provide additional comment as appropriate. You may complete it online here or request an e-mail version from: yarker.community@gmail.com. Apart from that every household will receive printed copy of the survey by mail. These may be returned to the Lucky Dollar Store, the Riverside United Church, Free Methodist Church, the Yarker Family School and Library or the Colebrook General Store.
Please complete the survey on or before January 29th, 2010
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