[Washago] The Washago Community Centre is the heart of this small village on the northern tip of Lake Couchiching. Just ask its residents.
Richard Ellis and his wife Marion have lived in Washago for 10 years, but Richard's ties to the community go back much further.
"My grandfather (Thomas Ellis) was sheriff of this town and my uncle (Bert Ellis) was one of the originators of the community centre back in I guess the '50s or '60s," he said.
The Washago Community Centre is "the focal point for the people in the community," Ellis said. "It's a very important aspect of Washago. It should be important to everyone in the community. It's a beautiful facility now; we couldn't have asked for anything nicer."
The community centre building re-opened again last year after being condemned because of mould. Cathy MacDonald, president of the Washago Community Centre Corporation, said that Severn Township, who owns the building, paid to give it a makeover, bring it up to safety codes and get it running again.
"I would say it is the centre of the whole community. There is much that goes on here," MacDonald said. "If the people don't help keep it going, it won't survive. People have to get involved to keep it operating."
The Washago Community Centre Corporation rents the building from Severn Township for $3,000 a month. For a volunteer organization, such a high cost means planning a lot of fundraising events. Saturday the centre held an outdoor corn and pig roast, but MacDonald said it's about more than raising money.
"People need to connect and see one another. Everyone's here so we will find out what's going on in the different churches, at the Lions hall and at the Rotary Club," she said. "When everyone gets together, we get to share what's happening in our own community." On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be a fashion show at the community centre, put on by a Washago clothing retailer and other businesses in Orillia and Gravenhurst.
The event costs $25 per person and the ladies attending may even be escorted to their seat by Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop, Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, Ramara Mayor Bill Duffy, Severn Mayor Phil Sled and Ramara and Severn township councillors.
"Our next major event is our 100th anniversary fancy dress skating party, because 100 years ago in 1909 there was one," MacDonald said. "So, in 2009 we need another one.
"We will probably be showing up on skidoos not horse and carriage though," she laughed.
The image you see the top of this webpage was painted by local artist Elizabeth Schamehorn. We gratefully acknowledge her permission in using this wonderful image of our local landscape. Please feel free to email her at Elizabeth Schamehorn.
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