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J | 649 FOURTH UNE, OAKVHU, WOW? 20 W Oakville, 1 F O C I J S < 1 . I (W ater Source 905^5-8444 S H IS H K E B O B S * 3 9 » See the Week-endpsper tot more spedeis Fu Gm H [ Buy 118L Fill-Up Get 1 FREE j j wrcti couoon. Expires Aug. 6/D5 -- -J r OfficialMedia Sponsor 511 Maple Grove Rd. Oakville ' (905)815-9923 J _ _w^thevratereource.ca_ Editor. Wilma Blokhuis Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 250) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: blokhuis@haltonsearch.com Cruising the world's waters in a power boat Oakville Power Boat Club gets readyfor four days o f activities on and off the water this weekend By Paula Henriques OAKVILLE B EA V ER S 'lA F F B ob Riviere loves every thing about the open seas: the fresh air, the taste o f the breeze on his tongue, the bite of the wind on his face and the cool spray of water that hits him as he races his pow er boat across the waves. A boating enthusiast for 50 years and a m em ber o f the Oakville Power Boat Club since 1987, Riviere has cruised waters across the world, becom ing a witness to earth's beauty and wonders up close. "W ater and relaxation go together. It releases the pres sures of business," he said. What he loves most about the hobby is the appreciation of the m om ents that have absolutely no price tag and where business transactions can 't touch: the m agnificent sunsets that leave one breath less, the melodic rhythm o f the water lapping on the boat's hull, the tender warmth o f the sun on your body as you sleep and the gentle silence o f a world far away from the bustling city. "It's magnificent." he said. O riginally from Saskat chewan. Riviere spent many summers on the water, taking part in activities like water-skiing since age 12. W hen he chose a career in operations and human resources with Royal Bank, he visited many parts of the world as part of the job, but he never strayed to far from the water and would go boating every chance he got. His final m ove was to Oakville from A ustralia in 1987. where he and his wife raised their two daughters, who enjoy boating just as much as he does. Once in Oakville he joined the Oakville Power Boat Club for the social aspects and to be a part o f the town. "It was my entry into the community," he said. T he O akville Pow er Boat C lub celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend. Rob Riviere, m em ber of the club and event chair, enjoys the view from a 34-foot SeaRay Sedan Bridge pow er boat, owned by friend and club m em ber G eorge M acintosh. The club, which is celebrat ing its 50th anniversary this weekend, began as a clapboard clubhouse underneath the R ebecca Street bridge. The quaint 20-foot by 30-foot build ing housed about 30 members. Known as "the working man's club," the power boat club had members from all walks of life with a passion for boating. The club eventually moved north o f the Rebecca Street bridge to 150 Water St. and has grown tremendously to approx imately 200 members; 65 boat ing members and 125 associate members. Open all year, the club holds various com m unity events including barbeques, tourna ments, charity fundraisers, fish ing derbies and evening social functions to involve the entire family. Riviere explained many members have grown with the club, many now into their 80s who have children and even grandchildren as members. The popularity of the club has grown as well. There are only 65 boating memberships to correspond with the number of docks, resulting in a very long waiting list. But associate mem berships are accessible at $100 per year per family. The club is regularly involved with various charities. Recently, boat ow ners were encouraged to donate their boats for a charity cruise auc tion that saw business owners and organizations bid for use of the boats for a full day's cruise. More than once. Riviere has provided his 36-foot Trojan Power Cruiser for the cause and To celebrate the O akville Pow er Boat C lub's 50th anniversary the club is holding four days and three nights of activities and entertainm ent throughout the grounds, on the lake and in the main clubhouse. The event runs Aug. 1-4, with the official kick-off on the Friday and opening ceremonies on Saturday at 11 a.m. More than 600 people are expected to attend the com mem orative event, including local dignitaries, club members, past m em bers and fellow boaters from around Lake Ontario as well as Upper New York State. To take in the full weekend's events, patrons can pay-as-yougo for each event separately or "Boaters definitely like to have fun, but it has to be responsible fun. If you are on the bottle, stay off the throttle." · Bob Riviere this year was no different, his cruiser garnered $800 towards ErinOak, an organization that supports children and youth with physical, developmental and communication disabilities. buy a weekend package for $125 per person. The price includes three days docking, Friday welcom e dinner and dance, three breakfasts and Saturday and Sunday dinner, as well as games and inter-club contests on and off the water and entrance to the Saturday and Sunday evening's entertain ment. The Downchild Blues Band will be featured on Saturday and Pastim e 2000. one of Canada's top oldies rock `n' roll bands, will be on the stage Sunday. Those without week end packages can order individ ual tickets at the gate. The Downchild Blues Band tickets cost $25 and tickets to Pastime 2000 cost $20. There are other musical sur prises as well as an auction, prizes and a nostalgia session of the club's memorabilia over 50 years. Weekend packages must be purchased by Thursday. A per centage o f the profits from the event will be donated to a char ity still to be determined. Riviere, who has been on the club's executive com m ittee since 1988 and is chair of the 50th anniversary celebrations, said the weekend's events will not only be focused on the Power Boat Club, but will also be on all boat clubs around Lake Ontario. "T here's a fellowship amongst us boaters," he said. Riviere stressed that though boating can lead to a bit of a "party life" drinking and acting irresponsibly on the boat or driving it while under the influ ence will not be tolerated on the weekend. "Boaters definitely like to have fun, but it has to be responsible fun. If you are on the bottle, stay off the throttle," he said. For the weekend's itinerary and to download a weekend package registration form visit the Web site at www.oakvillepowerboatclub.on.ca. CANADIAN "W e are a family" at Queens Avenue By Andrea Leporv Special Features Writer "After living alone in her own hom e for 14 vears, Evelyn Curtis felt like it was die right time for a change. After raising a family with h er husband and working for an airline until the age o f 62, it was alter her husband passed away, that she found it difficult t6 care for h e r hom e the way she used to. While having lunch with friends, Evelyn asked to see w here they lived. After a to u r o f Q ueens Avenue, she decided it was the perfect place for her. It's been a year since then and the 89vear-old co u ld n't be happier. "I have friends in here, from 60 years ago. It really feels like a family," she says. "Right now, I walk an d 'am thinking o f joining the exercise classes offered weekday mornings." Although it takes a while to get used to, Evelyn says the change was made m uch easier by the staff at Q ueens Avenue. "I like all the staff - the residence is well run and clean, with lovely aparunents. T he staff goes out o f their way to make things pleasant," she says. "I'm very happy here." Evelyn especially likes the fact that the staff celebrates everybody's birthday by m onth, with cake and ice cream . A nd during Christmas, residents and their families are invited to a holiday party, where they can enjoy cocktails and live music. T he residents are treated to special presentations from local area schools, library volunteers who bring in talking books, and, says Evelyn, most recently a local group o f belly dancers came in to entertain the residents and staff, also enjoys the free bus service She alsc offered to residents that takes to the mall on Tuesday and them lo the grocery store on Thursday. o f the greatest things about Avenue, according to Evelyn, is that she is still able to enjoy h I er freedom in h e r own With h er own ^ t bedroom . living and dining room, area, Evelyn can make j and kitchen kiti'h and lunch, and /j her own I k f then go t?o down (I for d in n er in the room, to the TRAFALG AR ROAD 4 0 0 D u n d a s S t. E a s t · (9 0 5 ) 2 5 7 -T IR E STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8 :00am-9pm · Sat. 8 :00 am-7 :00pm · Sun. 9am-6 pm O A K T O W N S H O P P IN G PLAZA 5 5 0 K e rr S tre e t · (9 0 5 ) 8 4 4 - 0 2 0 2 STORE HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8 :0Qam-9pm · Sat. 8 :00am-7 :00 pm · Sun. 9am-6 pm felt like I had been alone for so while living on my own, but now I can enjoy my independence, visit with fnends in the dining and vi room, " she says. "I feel at hom e here.' Q ueens Avenue R eurem ent Residence has eight floors and all the am enities o f hom e for an independent and personal lifestyle. Spacious studio suites and one bedroom and two bedroom apartm ents are available, ranging in sizes from 370 to 775 square feet. All are equipped with full kitchens, a sitting area, full bathroom s with walk-in seated showers, and 24-hour m edic alert m onitoring. T he facility is secure with autom atic keyless building door entries and all entries are locked and m onitored by closed circuit television. E nhanced Care packages are available for individual rare requirem ents, at an extra cost. For m ore inform ation regarding occupancy, visit them at 1056 Q ueens Avenue, o r call 905-8150862. The Queens Avenue Retirement Residence 1056 Queens Avenue, Oakville ( 905 ) 815-0862 ROYAL ONTARIO GOLF CLUB GIVEAWAY I Return this Ballot to ; ' , Z j j Z . " I Canadian Tire, for I your chance to 4 Royal I passes to iu the m e ixuyu. , Ontario Golf Club _ * D raw to be held Saturday, Aug. 31 R O W L O N T O R K )" " G O LF C L U B G IV E A W A Y . Na A dm - e_ .. .................................................................. * I . I I 2?°ieH°i _ _ ____ J I