Allysha Chapman played her 100th soccer game for Canada on Monday. It took her three years to get there.
She'd been stuck on 99 caps since the 2023 World Cup. She kept showing up until she got one more, then said goodbye at BMO Field. Not bad for a kid from Courtice.
Clear your Saturday. Boo Bash takes over downtown Oshawa, Applefest fills downtown Bowmanville, Pumpkinville lands in Ajax and Fall Fling hits the Pickering waterfront, all on the same day. Then on Sunday you can head to Ajax for Golden Age, put on by the women you met in last week's Changemaker.
Also in here: a Port Perry woman who woke up at 3:30 one morning and decided Uxbridge and Scugog needed a new animal shelter. And say hi to your new Junior Fire Chief. He's in Grade 5.
Grab a coffee. This is Durham Life!
📚 AJAX — Ajax kids are picking the library's new mascot.
Got a kid in Grades 4 to 8? They get to pick the face of Ajax Public Library for 2027. The shortlist includes Barkley the dog, Bizzy the bee and Sheldon the turtle. Voting runs at every branch until Wednesday, October 21, and every voter gets an "I Voted" sticker. The big finish is that Wednesday, 5 to 8pm, in the children's area at the main branch (55 Harwood Ave. S.).
Source: Ajax Public Library · The Canada Voice
🏛️ BROCK — The Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society is 50.
Since 1976, the society has been looking after Brock's artifacts, archives and old buildings, and running the tours and events. Volunteers do all of it: the cataloguing, the fixing, the fundraising. In September the Township gave them a Brock Award of Merit for Arts, Heritage and Culture. If you've never been, the museum is at 284 Simcoe St. in Beaverton, and they're selling 50th anniversary mugs.
Photo: Canada Soccer
⚽ CLARINGTON — Courtice's Allysha Chapman has played her last game for Canada.
Allysha Chapman grew up in Courtice. On Monday at BMO Field she played her 100th and final game for Canada, a 4-3 loss to Denmark. She leaves with Olympic bronze from Rio, gold from Tokyo and three World Cups. She's only stepping away from international soccer, so she's still playing club.
Source: Municipality of Clarington · Canada Soccer · Waking the Red
Photo: City of Oshawa
🌳 OSHAWA — Renaissance Park reopens Thursday, and there's a party.
Back in August we told you about the $1.43 million makeover of the park on Connery Crescent. It's done. The park reopens Thursday, October 22 (1529 Connery Cres.), and you're invited to the celebration from 4:30 to 5:30pm: recreation activities, City information tables and fall fun. When you get there, you'll find an accessible playground with sensory play, a splash pad, outdoor fitness equipment, accessible paths down to the waterfront trail, a shade structure, and a nature lookout with native plantings.
Source: City of Oshawa · Durham Radio News
Photo: City of Pickering
🍂 PICKERING — Fall Fling takes over the waterfront, two Saturdays running.
Pickering's waterfront throws a free fall party Saturday, October 17, from 11:30am to 3pm at Millennium Square. You'll find an artisan market with 15-plus vendors, food, face painting, live music in Millennium Square and Nautical Village, and pumpkin bowling. Can't make it? You get a second shot Saturday, October 24, with a kids' Halloween costume contest, mini train rides and trick-or-treating.
Source: City of Pickering
Photo: Township of Scugog
🚒 SCUGOG — Max Miller is Scugog's Junior Fire Chief.
Grade 5 student Max Miller drew a poster on lithium-ion battery safety ("Safe Charging is a Superpower") and it beat hundreds of entries. His prize: a day running the fire department. It started with a surprise announcement in his classroom, then he helped supervise a school-wide evacuation drill. He also took home a new bike from Port Perry Canadian Tire and a McDonald's lunch. If you've been charging an e-bike in the garage overnight, Max has notes.
Source: Township of Scugog • Township of Scugog FB
Photo: Uxbridge Curling Club
🥌 UXBRIDGE — The curling club's 65-year-old roof is getting replaced.
The Uxbridge Curling Club is volunteer-run, has more than 300 members, teaches Learn to Curl and gives local schools free ice. It just landed a $200,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to replace its 65-year-old roof membrane and add insulation. The work is scheduled for April 15 to September 1, 2027, so you won't lose a single end to construction.
Photo: Whitby Library, CBC Kids
📺 WHITBY — Whitby Library is going on national TV.
Last month, more than 2,000 people packed Whitby's Central Library for the taping of the CBC Kids Reads finale. The library calls it one of its biggest events ever. Now you get to watch: the show airs Monday, October 19 at 9am, when Gary the Unicorn and Cottonball announce the winning book from five shortlisted Canadian titles. "We're thrilled to be a part of this exciting celebration of reading that will be shared with audiences across Canada," says library CEO Rhonda Jessup.
If you've got little ones home Monday morning, it's on CBC TV, CBC Gem or the CBC Kids YouTube channel. You might even spot someone you know: photos from the day are on the library's page.
Source: Whitby Public Library · CBC Kids Reads on CBC Gem · INsauga
Ginger Jackson woke up at 3:30 one morning and decided the north end needed a new animal shelter.
You've probably had a 3:30 a.m. idea. You rolled over and went back to sleep.
Ginger Jackson didn't. She owns the McDonald's restaurants in Uxbridge and Port Perry, and the next day she called a pet-store owner named Art Mathews. In January 2011 the two of them stood in front of both township councils and asked for something that sounded a little crazy: build the shelter the way people used to raise a barn. Volunteers, local trades, donated materials, everybody pitching in.
In this day and age, it would be such a wonderful project that would make everyone feel good.
It's taken more than fifteen years. Walks, a golf tournament, a gala every November, raffles, garage sales and a whole lot of small donations later, the old shelter on Reach Street is finally being replaced.
Last Thursday, invited guests toured the new building on Lake Ridge Road while it's still under construction. Ginger was one of them. The dog runs have cinder block walls instead of bars, and each one opens straight onto its own exercise yard. Cats get a "Catio." There are isolation rooms for new arrivals, two cat adoption rooms, a room where you can spend time with a dog before you decide, and trails around the property so you can take one out for a walk. Ginger says it's better than she expected.
It's due to be finished in December, and the doors open early in the new year.
If you want to help, the shelter's charity is still looking for donors and for volunteers on fundraising, communications and the board. The Gimme Shelter Gala happens every November, so keep an eye on animal-shelter.ca for this year's date.
Know a Durham Region Changemaker? Hit reply.
Photo: Muscular Distrophy Canada
🚒 Ajax firefighters are filling the boot Saturday. Ajax Fire and Emergency Services will be at the RioCan Durham Centre (Costco plaza, 163 Harwood Ave.) from 10am to 4pm, collecting for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, which supports families affected by neuromuscular disorders. Say hi, drop in a few dollars, help fill the boot.
Source: Town of Ajax · Muscular Dystrophy Canada
🧘 Community Care Durham needs a room in Pickering. Their free Exercise and Fall Prevention Program (classes, fall-risk checks and workshops for adults 55 and older) lost its Pickering space and is looking for a new host in Pickering or Ajax. Last year it reached more than 2,400 older adults through 3,300 classes at 21 locations. "I am very anxiously waiting for the re-opening of this class in Pickering at a different, convenient location as soon as possible," says Shelly Das, who went for four years. If you have a hall or community room that could host, call Lee Marrison at 905-697-4408 or email [email protected].
Source: Community Care Durham
🙋 Durham Region Volunteer Fair, Wednesday, November 4. More than 40 groups in one room: Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, Bowmanville (2440 Durham Regional Hwy. 2), 11am to 3pm, free, all ages. The Alzheimer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Inc., the Salvation Army and WindReach Farm are on the list. If you've been meaning to volunteer and didn't know where to start, this is the room. Co-hosted by Community Care Durham and DRAVA.
Source: DRAVA · Durham Radio News
Run a Durham group that needs hands? Hit reply and we'll put the word out.
Saturday does the heavy lifting. Four towns, four parties, one day.
Photo: Bowmanville BIA
🍎 Saturday, Oct 17, 9am to 5pm: Applefest, downtown Bowmanville. 37th year. Four blocks of local apple growers, fresh-pressed cider, pies, cider donuts, caramel apples and the famous hot apple fritters, plus an artisan and craft market. Free admission, free parking and a free shuttle. Come hungry. We gave you the save-the-date back in September.
Source: Bowmanville BIA · INsauga
👻 Saturday, Oct 17, 1 to 10pm: Boo Bash, downtown Oshawa. Free. If you've got little ones, go early: from 1 to 3pm there are no scare actors, plus pumpkin decorating in Victoria Lane and trick-or-treating at downtown businesses (look for the poster in the window, and bring a bag). At 3pm the scare actors come out, along with a Krampus street party, aerial performers, a Scarecrow Lane and punk and rock all day at the Boneyard Stage. King St. W. is closed between Simcoe and Mary, so plan your parking.
Source: Oshawa BooBash • City of Oshawa • Oshawa This Week
🎃 Saturday, Oct 17, 11am to 5pm: Pumpkinville, Greenwood Conservation Area, Ajax. Live stage, kids' games, trick-or-treating at community booths, a sensory zone and the Elexicon Energy haunted house. Dress the kids up, and grab a free pumpkin at the Steve & Amanda's NoFrills Pumpkin Patch while supplies last. Parking is limited, so take the free shuttle from the GO lot, Ajax Town Hall or Audley Recreation Centre (first pickup 10:45am).
Source: Town of Ajax
🏛️ Saturday, Oct 17, 10am to 4pm: Doors Open Whitby. Free. Step inside Lynde House Museum (c. 1812, costumed interpreters), Burr Lodge (1855) and Station Gallery, or take the Werden's Plan walking tour at 11am and 2pm from Brock St. S. and Burns St.
Source: Town of Whitby · Doors Open Ontario
🛍️ Saturday, Oct 17: 28th Annual Antique & Nostalgia Show, Port Perry. Scugog Community Recreation Centre (1655 Reach St.). Canadiana, furniture, glass and primitives, the Lake Scugog Historical Society's big fundraiser. Tickets at the door. Check the society's page for Sunday.
Source: Lake Scugog Historical Society
Photo: Town of Ajax
🌙 Sunday, Oct 18, noon to 6pm: Golden Age, Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax. Last week you met Kubra Mir, who turned a Facebook group into 160 Muslim Women of Durham Region. Sunday is her group's big day: their third annual Islamic History Month celebration, with live entertainment, family activities and a look at Muslim contributions to the arts and sciences. Free admission, free parking and everyone is welcome, Muslim or not.
Source: Town of Ajax · Muslim Women of Durham Region
Photo: Prologue Uxbridge
🚴 Sunday, Oct 18: Prologue Cross, Elgin Park, Uxbridge. Cyclocross racing from 9am to about 3:30pm, with mud, sand, barriers and stairs. Free for spectators, with a Second Wedge beer garden in the little red barn and free coffee and music. The kids' course is free all day.
Source: Prologue Cross
Photo: Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm
🌽 Friday to Sunday: Pirate Puzzle Hunt corn maze, Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm, Sunderland. A 10-acre maze with eight escape-room-style pirate puzzles to unlock a treasure chest. $10 a person, 2 and under free. Fri noon to 5pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 6pm, 1070 Concession Rd. 5. Open through November 1.
Source: Buzzing Bees Adventure Farm
Photo: Olive Garden
🍝 Olive Garden, Ajax. After about 25 years away, the endless breadsticks are back in Durham. The Ajax restaurant (130 Kingston Rd. E., Durham Centre) opened Monday, October 12, the third Olive Garden in Ontario's relaunch. Never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks, 11am to 10pm daily. It's walk-in only, no reservations, so you might wait a bit at dinnertime.
Source: INsauga
Photo: Metro Foods Inc
🛒 Food Basics, Whitby. Whitby's first Food Basics (915 Rossland Rd. W.) opened last Thursday, October 8, bringing 100 jobs and a 32,000-square-foot discount grocery store. Open daily 8am to 9pm. On opening day the company gave $5,000 to Feed the Need in Durham.
Source: Metro Inc. · Whitby This Week
Photo: Durham Region
🪪 The ID and Benefits Hubs have dates now, and all three are this coming week. We flagged these back in September. There are more than 40 government credits and benefits that could boost your income, and you can't claim the ones you don't know about. These pop-ups put Service Canada, CRA help and Region staff in one room, so you're not stuck on hold. You can get or replace a SIN, health card, birth certificate or photo ID, get help with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the Canada Disability Benefit, CPP and OAS, and pick up a food hamper while supplies last.
Mon Oct 19: Whitby Public Library (405 Dundas St. W.), 11:30am to 5:30pm
Tue Oct 20: Ajax Public Library (55 Harwood Ave. S.), 11:30am to 4pm
Thu Oct 22: Bowmanville Public Library (163 Church St.), 11:30am to 5:30pm
Free tax filing is full in Whitby and Ajax. Bowmanville still has appointments.
Source: Region of Durham
Photo: DDSB
✈️ A Whitby school turned 25, and a Snowbird came home. Captain Michael VandenBos Public School marked 25 years on October 3 with alumni, families and its first principal, Claire Boychyn. His family gave the school one of his Canadian Forces Snowbirds uniforms to display, in the hope it inspires students to find their own way to fly. VandenBos died in a training exercise in 1998.
Source: Durham Radio News
Photo: Soper Creek
🦉 Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue is hosting a Halloween Party Saturday, Oct 24. The Bowmanville rescue calls itself Durham Region's only wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Check sopercreekwildlife.com for times and tickets.
Source: Region of Durham
Photo: MusiCounts
🎵 Courtice Intermediate just landed $19,000 for instruments. It's one of 96 schools across Canada sharing a record $1.4 million from MusiCounts to get music in kids' hands.
Source: MusiCounts · Durham Radio News
Photo: City of Oshawa
♿ Oshawa is giving away free Treat Accessibly lawn signs for Halloween. You can pick one up at City Hall, the Civic Recreation Complex, Delpark Homes Centre, Donevan, Northview, South Oshawa Community Centre, or the Delpark, Jess Hann, John Aker Northview and McLaughlin library branches. If you're handing out candy: set up at the end of the driveway, light the path, skip the strobes, and keep a teal pumpkin bowl for non-food treats.
Source: City of Oshawa
Photo: Trees for Life
🌳 800 trees, one Saturday morning, and a name behind it.
On Saturday, October 24, from 9am to noon, you can help plant more than 800 native trees and shrubs at Elgin Park in Uxbridge (overflow parking area, 57 Elgin Park Dr.). It's Uxbridge's fourth mini forest, planted the Miyawaki way: a tennis-court-sized patch of native species packed close together so it grows faster and holds more wildlife.
It's named for Steve Snoddon, a Rotary past-president and chair of the Trails Committee who was the driving force behind the Uxbridge Rotary Skate Park and the Optimist Pump Track. Volunteers prepped the site in June with cardboard, wood chips and soil mounds. All ages are welcome, you don't need any experience, and it's free. Some jobs involve lifting up to 10 kg. You can sign up on the Canadian Trees for Life event page.
Source: Canadian Trees for Life · Durham Post
Somebody started all of this before you got here.
Ginger Jackson woke up at 3:30 one morning with an idea about a shelter, and fifteen years later there's a building with a Catio. The Beaverton historical society has been looking after Brock's past since 1976, mostly with volunteers. Steve Snoddon was the driving force behind Uxbridge's skate park, and on October 24 his neighbours plant a forest in his name. Allysha Chapman waited three years for her hundredth game.
None of them were in a hurry. All of them were on purpose.
Your turn. Pick the thing in this issue closest to your door, and show up.
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Until next week...
Be Good. Do Good.
This is Durham Life.
MiKe Dee
Publisher
Durham Life — Local Media that Inspires
Covering Durham Region's 8 municipalities:
Ajax · Brock · Clarington · Oshawa · Pickering · Scugog · Uxbridge · Whitby