Tremont Recognition

Richard and Anke Lex are pleased to announce that restoration of The Tremont has been awarded the Peter Stokes Restoration Award. This award, present annually by the Architectural Conservatory of Ontario, recognizes those responsible for the exemplary restoration of significant heritage structures, undertaken in accordance with the accepted policies and practices of heritage conservation in Ontario.

The award was presented at the annual ACO dinner held at the Arts and Letters Club in Toronto on Friday, November 19th.

The awards committee chair Susan Ratcliff noted that, “A once decrepit building ready for demolition is now a remarkable gem in Collingwood's downtown heritage district. This outstanding project raises the bar for the restoration of heritage architecture in Ontario, and will serve as a model for other dreamers across the province."

The award honours Peter Stokes, ACO’s pioneering restoration architect, best-known for bringing international standards of heritage conservation to his projects throughout the province. Mr. Stokes played a vital role in the early development of the Collingwood Heritage District. His work in 1981, with the help of architecture students from the University of Waterloo, provided the first background study to what would later become the Heritage Conservation District."

The Tremont project involved the preservation, restoration and revitalization of an important 1889 designated building in the Collingwood Heritage District and its adaptive reuse to provide commercial opportunities and live/work space for the creative sector. The historic Tremont building underwent a 16-month restoration beginning in June 2009. The building is now home to The Bay School of Art, The Tremont Cafe, The Elihu Book Room, nine artist studios and four third floor apartments.

The photo shows - From right to left: Bowie Lex, Nina Lex, Christine Cowley (nominated the project) Annette Snowdon (VP of ACO Collingwood), Anke Lex, Richard Lex, Lloyd Alter (president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario).

For more information please contact Richard or Anke Lex at (705)445-5764 anke@thetremont.ca or visit the Tremount website.

Paramedic Services Launch the 2010 Toy Drive

The County of Simcoe Paramedic Services are pleased to announce the launch of the eighth Annual Toy Drive, benefitting local children and families during the holiday season. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted at various locations and parades across Simcoe County.

Since its inception, the County of Simcoe Paramedics Services Toy Drive has collected more than 20,000 toys, $30,000 and 7,600 pounds of food from the generous residents of Simcoe County. All donations will be distributed to local children and families in need by charitable organizations working in partnership with Simcoe County Paramedic Services. Residents are being asked for their continued generosity and support in helping those in our region most in need celebrate this holiday season.

Donations can also be made at the County of Simcoe Administration Centre, 1110 Highway 26 in Midhurst during regular business hours and at all Simcoe County Paramedic stations, where outdoor drop boxes are now available.

Alliston – Concession 7 and Dean Drive
Angus – 1 Treetop Street
Barrie – 113 Tiffin Street
Barrie – 667 Bayfield Street
Bradford – Unit 6/7 Artisian Industrial Parkway
Coldwater – Fire Hall Lane
Collingwood – 195 St. Paul Street
Craighurst – 2298 Horseshoe Valley Road
Elmvale – 7 Patterson Street
Midland – 395 Cranston Crescent
Orillia – 820 Memorial Avenue
Stroud – 2394 Victoria Street
Wasaga Beach – 23 Oxbow Park Road
Washago – 401 Anchor Drive

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Jennifer Potter has written a song called Untitled Prayer that she has put a video to for Remembrance Day.

"words and images to honour those who fight for peace"