Hub Staff

The Fall and Winter Leisure Fair took place on September 9 from 6 to 8pm in the Rotary Hall at the Plex in Port Elgin.

Families came to sign up for a wide variety of sports and programs that will be running throughout Saugeen Shores. Swimming, dancing, skating, gymnastics, curling, martial arts, tutoring and yoga were just some of the programs that were on offer.

The hall started filling up from early on with line-ups forming at several of the booths.

Bill Palmer of the Saugeen Shores Scouting Association said, “We're looking for new leaders as well as scouts.” Kevin Ryan also of the Scouting Association added that the number of options kids have can create challenges for the various organizations. “I think everyone struggles a bit to find the volunteers.”

The 340 Port Elgin Air Cadet Squadron had brought a flight simulator for potential new members to try their hand at some flying.

Tina Aasman, who is on the air cadets sponsored committee said, “Last count we had 34 members. We lost a few this year so hopefully we're going to do some advertising to try and entice some more cadets.”

Lt. Bruce Schoettler, who started in the air cadets, spent ten years in the air force and now flies for Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific, explained that the main thing about the air cadets is that everything is free. “The cost of joining is free, training is free, the cost of the uniform is free, summer camps are free. It's all funded by the Department of Defence,” he said.

John Craig, head coach at Swing, Spring & Flip which currently has approximately 300 members, was there looking for new members along with his daughter Shiann, a fellow coach at the club.

Rose Reilly was at the Leisure Fair with Chi Nimkika, a non profit group looking for interest in a women's drumming circle. “This is in the Ojibway language and what Chi Nimkika means is big thunde,” said Reilly, adding that she will be attending a Culture Day on September 26 at the Port Elgin library.

Deb McLaren of Kindermusik with Mrs Deb said that she had been coming to the Leisure Fair for five years and although she didn't typically get too many people signing up with her at the fair itself, it was a chance to be out in the community and share information.

Samanatha Colwell-Castles and Stacey Pequegnat of S&S Tutoring were also at the fair sharing information. “Now we've expanded and have 4 tutors,” said Pequegnat.