Sam Russ was born into the theatre business. His family have owned theaters since 1912. Few people can tell you what their Grandfather, or Great-Grandfather did for a living but not only does Sam Russ know, he continues to keep the tradition alive. The Russ family owned the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood in 1912. A quick look at the Gayety's website shows that the theatre has been in operation since 1911. This means that they were possibly the first family to own it, or they bought it when it was only a year old. The Gayety Russ tells me was the first theatre north of Toronto to feature movies with sound. They also featured shows for troops during World War II. What an amazing history.

CELEBRATING A GREAT WOMAN OF MUSIC

Gaze into Theatre Collingwood’s 2010 crystal ball for a glimpse of FAME that will stir your soul and warm your heart.

The second production of the summer theatre season stars Leisa Way in SWEET DREAMS:  A TRIBUTE TO PATSY CLINE featuring the Wayward Wind band.  It’s live onstage at the Gayety Theatre for one week only:  August 16, 17, 19, 20 & 21 at 8pm with one matinee on August 18^th at 2pm.

Wasaga Beach - At Your Service

This week we are speaking with Sam Russ of Elmvale Drive In.

When was the last time you went to a drive-in? There was a time when drive-in's were scattered throughout the country in every community. Even Toronto had several on the outskirts of town. Today drive-in's are thought of as a bit old fashioned but they are still as much fun as they ever were. The idea being that you drive your car to the movie theatre, open the windows to let in the cool night air, fill yourself full of fattening (but delicious) food, and either forget the movie to make out with your girl/boyfriend, or enjoy it with your family and/or friends.

Can it be true that we are coming to the end of such a wonderful summer? The weather could not have been better. The water was warm, the sand felt good in our toes. How can it be the middle of August already?

Here are some photos from this spectacular summer.

 

 

Midway: July 25th - August 7th.

The Midway is located at Beach One till the end of this week.

This annual tradition has been going on for longer than most of us can remember. Enjoy the rides, candy apples, candy floss and test your luck at the games to win stuffed animals. 

NEW OUFITS FOR WALTER THE FROG!

Our Walter The Frog Dressup Game has been revised for Summer 2010.

Walter needed to be appropriately dressed for the activities of Wasaga Beach. We've outfitted him for boating, fishing hiking, the Nancy Island War of 1812 reenactment and even paintball. His wardrobe is bursting with new items which you can mix and match to create an endless variety of looks.

Click "Walter the Frog" from the top menu, or simply click here to access the new Walter the Frog Dressup Game. 

If you are sweltering in the city right now and thinking about making a trip up to Wasaga Beach, I'm happy to inform you that the weather here is optimum for a dip in the Bay, or for dancing at night without bringing so much as a sweater. My, my, my, I can't get enough of this type of weather.

Just as a tease, here is a little photo of one of the vendors with his colourful beach items - all calling your name. Hey You! Get out of that stuffy office and come to the beach. What are you nuts? It's 30 degrees out there, blue skys and life is short. Get here. ;)

As you may have read here earlier this Spring, Councillor Rick Archdekin sued the Town of Wasaga Beach and fellow council member Connie Gray over a matter of property rights. The lawsuit centered around some land owned by the Grays; the Wasaga Sands Golf Club. According to news sources, Mr. Archdekin and  the previous owner of 83 Frederick Drive have been "traversing" the land to access a secondary driveway since 1975, and felt that the stub of land should be declared a public roadway.

As you may have heard in the news, the Midland area was hit by two tornadoes. I have just learned that the Red Cross has organized a donation collection. Contact them at 705-721-3313 if you would like to help. 

Simcoe County's information line is 705-735-6901. The Government Information Line at 211.

(Fallen power lines and trees are downed in Midland on June 24. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

Mayor Candidate Steven Fishman launches new website

June 25th, 2010 - Wasaga Beach, Ontario

Candidate for Mayor of Wasaga Beach, Steven Fishman is pleased to announce the launch of
his campaign website. www.voteforsteve.ca