Our of Town - Barrie

• COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• FAMILY FUN
• SPORTS
• BARRIE EVENTS

COMMUNITY CARE

Barrie Midwives provide primary care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth, and for six weeks postpartum. 1 Quarry Ridge Rd, Suite 303. (705) 727-7660 www.bitwalla.com/barriemidwives

Birth Preparation. 2-session classes at Royal Victoria Hospital taught by Registered Nurses with pregnancy, birth and newborn experience. (705) 728-9090 ext. 4743.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Barrie Simcoe Branch, (705) 726-5033. Has a referral information service and offers self help groups. www.cmhasim.on.ca

Children‘s Aid Society of Simcoe County (705) 726-6587 Offers support for children under 16 needing protection, as well as family and individual counselling, and adoption and support services. www.simcoecas.com

Community Care Access Centre Simcoe County, (705) 721-8010. Services provided include nursing, personal support, speech and language, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietician and social work. www.ccacsc.on.ca

Health Connection. For practical help with quitting smoking and other healthy lifestyle choices, call to speak to a public health nurse. Free classes on childbirth, breastfeeding and life with newborns. (705) 721-7520. From South Simcoe call toll free, 1-877-721-7520. www.simcoehealth.org

Kinark Child and Family Services, 34 Simcoe St. At Kinark we‘re dedicated to helping families make it through the rough times. Our services are free and completely confidential. 1-888-454-6275, www.kinark.on.ca

St. John Ambulance (705) 726-0991. Offers courses in CPR and First Aid.

FAMILY FUN

Barrie Regional Youth Choirs for ages 5 to 10 and 11 to 18. Presents Christmas and spring concerts, and benefit concerts on an invitational basis. Auditions held in September and January. (705) 429-7815, barriechoir.org

Barrie Triple Drive-In. Open every night of the summer. Highway 11 at Guthrie 134, Line 4 South, just 10 minutes north of Barrie. (705) 487-2212, www.stinsontheatres.ca Barrie YMCA. Check out our programs and camps! (705) 726-6421, www.stinsontheatres.ca

Barrie YMCA. Check out our programs and camps! (705) 726-6421, www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/barrie/

Base Borden Military Museum houses a collection of armoured vehicles, trucks, and aircraft. Admission, free; guided tours, $2 per person. 18 Waterloo Rd. E., Borden. Call for hours. (705) 423-3531.

Bayfield Bowl. Youth Bowling Council programs for ages 3 to 18, birthday parties, cosmic bowling and more. 320 Bayfield St., Bayfield Mall. (705) 739-2269, www.bayfieldmall.ca/bayfieldbowl/

Boat Cruises on Serendipity Princess. Sightseeing on Lake Simcoe-Kempenfelt Bay. (705) 728-9888, www.midlandtours.com

C J Fly. Charter a flight in a hot air balloon. Experience a higher calling. (416) 277-5213, www.cjfly.com

Drysdale‘s Tree Farm. 6635 Simcoe Rd., R.R. #1, Egbert. Open year round with different family activities in every season. Boasts a 400-acre Christmas tree plantation. (705) 424-9719, www.drysdales.ca

Gryphon Theatre. Ticket sales for individual shows in our 2005/2006 Kids’ Series begin Sept. 15, 2005. Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com

MacLaren Art Centre. 37 Mulcaster St., (705) 721-9696. Five gallery spaces feature art exhibitions from around the world and around the corner. Tours are available. www.maclarenart.com

Rounds Ranch Farm Adventures. Come, Experience the Country! Farm animals, pony rides, boxcar, pedal carts, playground, corn & straw bale maze. Ideal for birthdays, camps, family reunions and corporate events. (705) 322-6293 www.roundsranch.com

South Simcoe Railway. Travel in restored 1920’s open-window coaches over the rails of a century-old branchline. A unique trip for the whole family. May 22 to end of September, every Sun. and holiday Mon. During July and August, rides also operate on Mon. and Tues. (905) 936-5815, www.steamtrain.com

Springwater Provincial Park. All-season park ideal for family picnics, games and walks or skiing in the woods. 1331 Highway 26., Midhurst, north of Barrie. (705) 728-7393, www.ontarioparks.com/english/spri.html

Timber Creek Family Fun Centre. An outdoor park featuring two 18-hole minigolf courses, jumping castle, slide, batting cages, driving range, games barn and a dairy barn. Birthday Parties! (905) 642-5174, www.timbercreekgolf.ca

Town of Richmond Hill Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Community programs and facility rentals for any occasion. For more information, please call (905) 771-8870.

Varley Art Gallery on historic Main St., Unionville. Great exhibitions, street festivals and events throughout the year. Art classes and camps. www.varleygallery.ca (905) 477-9511

Wasaga Waterworld. Slides, Bumper Boats, Whirlpools, Activity Centre, Arcade and more. Birthday parties and group events available. Beach Front Park and Main Park locations in Wasaga Beach. (705) 429-4400, www.wasagawaterworld.com

The Wave Pool is the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular wave experience. Swim in the 4-foot waves, ride the 160-foot waterslide, or relax in our swirlpool. The Wave Pool is located at 5 Hopkins Street in Richmond Hill. For more information, please call (905) 508-9283.

SPORTS

Barrie Ball Hockey Club. Organized ball hockey provides the excitement and thrill of ice hockey at a much more affordable cost. Our Growing Up Through Sports (GUTS) program for children 6-17 promotes fun and fair play while teaching teamwork. Tiny Tots for ages 4 and 5, and a competitive teen program also available. Call (705) 721-0198, www.ballhockey.com

Barrie Blizzards. The Barrie Ringette Association welcomes new members ages 7 and up to join league divisions. Pre-registration continues until the end of April annually. eteamz.active.com/barrieringette/

Barrie Minor Baseball Association provides information about leagues, tournaments and events in the area. For more information, visit www.barrieminorbaseball.on.ca

Barrie Minor Hockey Association coordinates house leagues and tournaments. Call (705) 734-1121 for more information, or visit www.barrieminorhockey.net

Huronia District Soccer Association promotes, develops and administers the game of soccer for all groups, male and female, within the counties of Simcoe, Muskoka and Parry Sound. Call (705) 739-6729 or visit www.hdsa.info

KidSport believes that sports should be accessible to all children. Since the first local chapter was launched in 2002 in Timmins, more than 100 chapters have been established across Canada. Call (416) 426-7171 or visit www.kidsport.on.ca for more information.

BARRIE EVENTS

JULY 2005
July 22 to 24 - All Rods Lead to Barrie: Canadian Street Nationals. More than 1500 pre-1980 vehicles will be on display with exhibits, seminars and entertainment. The Event Centre, Hwy. 400 and Essa Rd. (705) 737-4062, www.canadianstreetnationals.com

July 30 and 31 - 2nd Annual Canadian Open Barbecue Championships and Ribfest: More than 30 teams will compete for $20,000 cash and prizes. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MacLaren Art Centre. On-site entertainment. Southshore Centre, Kempenfelt Bay. www.canadianbarbecueassociation.com

July 30 to Aug. 1 - 35th Annual Kempenfest: The Huronia Festival of Arts and Crafts, one of the largest Arts and Crafts shows in Canada, features over 370 artisans. Proceeds raised are dedicated to community arts programs. Kempenfelt Bay. www.kempenfest.com

AUGUST 2005
Aug. 4, 7 p.m. - Mariposa Charity Skating Gala: An Evening with Doug Leigh and Friends. For tickets call (705) 739-7666. Barrie Molson Centre, 555 Bayview Dr. www.skatemariposa.com/charity/charity.shtm

Aug 11 to Sept. 3 - The Comedy of Errors: Shakespeare‘s farce about mistaken identity presented by Theatre by the Bay at Heritage Park. Call (705) 735-9243 for details.

Aug. 14 to Sept. 3 - The Tale of Beauty and The Beast: Presented by Theatre by the Bay at Heritage Park. Call (705) 735-9243 for details.

Aug. 24 to 28 - Barrie Fair and Horse Show: Also features a midway, battle of the bands, tractor pulls, monster trucks, vendors, high diving act, Xtreme motorcycles, demolition derby, arts and crafts and more. Barrie Fairgrounds, Essa Rd. and Hwy. 400. Call (705) 737-3670.

SEPTEMBER 2005
Sept. 4, Dusk - Wasaga Beach Memories of Summer Fireworks Display: Free to everyone. Best viewing is along the main beach area and Beach Drive.

NOVEMBER 2005
Nov. 4 to 6 - 10th - Annual Xmas Craft Show: Browse among more than 140 artisans and crafters. A., $6, Sen. $5, Ch. 12 and under with an adult, free. Hours: Fri. noon to 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Barrie Molson Centre, 555 Bayview Dr.

Nov. 19, 1 and 3:30 p.m. - The Nightingale: A small bird teaches the Great Emperor the value of simple things and true friendship. Based on a Hans Christian Andersen’s classic, and told with exotic music and colourful puppets. $15. Gryphon Theatre, Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com

DECEMBER 2005
Dec 1 to 2, 6 - 9 p.m. - First Light: Experience Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in the evening, aglow with more than 2,000 candles. 6th annual celebration. Meet historical re-enactors and enjoy musical presentations from local choirs. $4 per person with non-perishable food item for charity, children 5 and under, free. Highway 12 E., Midland. (705) 526-7838, www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca

JANUARY 2006
Jan. 14, 1 and 3:30 p.m. - Franklin the Turtle: Welcome to the world of this gentle yet mischievous children’s character. Gryphon Theatre, Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com

FEBRUARY 2006
Feb. 4, 1 and 3:30 p.m. - Peter Pan: DuffleBag Theatre retells this tale with wit and humour. Children and adults alike are asked to come up on stage and join in the action. $15. Gryphon Theatre, Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com

MARCH 2006
Mar. 25, 1 and 3:30 p.m. - Eric Nagler in Concert: The stage is filled with both traditional and found object instruments and lots of enthusiastic audience participation. $15. Gryphon Theatre, Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com

APRIL 2006
Apr. 29, 1 and 3:30 p.m. - The Discovery of White: One Sunday when Anna visits her grandfather, an artist, at his studio a strange flash of lightning makes all the colours disappear. $15. Gryphon Theatre, Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie. (705) 728-4613, www.gryphontheatre.com