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2 Friday, October 11, 2024 brooklintowncrier.com Brooklin's Community Newspaper Proud to be a Brooklinite Since 2000. Published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com • Circulation 8000 • Delivery via Canada Post Locally owned and operated. A publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, Octobere 25, 2024 Deadline: Friday, October 18, 2024 Brooklin TOWN CRIER.com Brooklin ain't Montreal. Not in looks, food, smell, les Habs, Lafontaine Park, Mount Royal, traffic (think Decarie) or bagels. (We were close with Kettleman's till it shut down. Still…) While Montreal is awash in revitalization and construction, Brooklin has merely the latter. But in one way, it could easily be. A recent sojourn to hometown Montreal shocked me. People now stop at stop signs which at one time seemed like a suggestion. Drivers are respectful of pedestrians and don't seem to care what language they speak. And everywhere - everywhere! - there are cyclists. A cousin says the city is quickly transforming into a sort of Amsterdam, so prevalent are the bikers and bike lanes. She lives in the area east of Mount Royal known as Le Plateau which has transformed into one of the most charming Montreal neighbourhoods. All over the city, you can rent bikes, standard or electric, from the Bixi company stands which dot the map. Rent from one stand, check for another near your destination, return it there. But most surprising to me was the ease in which the city has made it possible to go just about anywhere by bike. Dedicated bike lanes are painted and properly marked. Drivers just do not venture into those lanes which are on every street. We rented bikes across from her place and, while she headed to an appointment, I continued to downtown - on a one way street! Against traffic! Why? Because the bike lane allowed me to do so. At intersections, I toodled off as per the signals, arriving just a block from my destination where I returned the Bixi with a satisfying bike stand click. I felt completely safe, a refreshing new experience since cycling in this area isn't. Mine was a commute, albeit a touristy one. The Montreal locals bike because it's safe efficient. It got me thinking, always a dangerous mode. Let's say we wanted people to be healthier, enjoy the outdoors and get to and from, say, downtown. Let's go further and suggest our children would benefit from being able to bike across Brooklin to schools, parks and friends' houses. I know. Radical thoughts. What if - here I go! - most of Brooklin's streets had such dedicated, green or blue painted bike lanes. What if parking was limited to just one side to allow for such lanes. Part of the Winchester Road revitalization includes a bike lane along the south side. This will be all well and good, till you exit Winchester and try to negotiate any side street as just another cog in the traffic flow. Oshawa, for instance, has scooter rentals though there's no such thing as scooter lanes. So people, usually students, travel the sidewalks. Have you ever faced or heard an electric scooter sneaking up on you? But if there were bike lanes…? Is it time for the creation of a Brooklin Road Club to lobby Whitby to just steal Montreal's idea? We can investigate bagels afterward. Less than half the picture: Le Plateau de Brooklin By Richard Bercuson Community Care Durham is excited to celebrate Community Support Month this October with an Open House on October 23, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at our Pickering-Ajax Hub located at 1420 Bayly Street, Unit 6, Pickering. The event will showcase CCD's wide range of essential services that support the well-being of individuals across Durham Region. Guests attending the Open House will have the opportunity to sample delicious offerings from our Meals on Wheels program, including new Halal menu items. In addition, displays will highlight a variety of services CCD provides, such as: COPE Mental Health, ALS and Respite Care, Exercise and Falls Prevention, Adult Day Program, Foot Care, Community Food Box, Transportation services, and much more! Community Care Durham plays a vital role in helping clients live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, reducing the burden on family caregivers and the healthcare system. With Ontario's aging population, the demand for community support services is growing rapidly. Last year alone, Community Care Durham provided care to 9,732 registered clients, helping them stay connected and supported within their communities. CCD's impact last year included: 83,042 hours of Adult Day Programming across 13,844 attendance days, More than 15,042 attendees for COPE Mental Health sessions, Delivery of 108,263 meals through Meals on Wheels and Community Food Box programs, A combined 59,461 hours of care through Assisted Living and Supportive Housing services. During Community Support Month in October, CCD will recognize the incredible efforts of its personal support workers, nurses, staff, and volunteers who provide essential services and foster vital social connections. We are proud to acknowledge their contributions on the following special days and weeks: October 7-11: Meals on Wheels Week October 9: Congregate Dining Day October 11: Supportive Housing/ Assisted Living Day October 14-18: Community Care Worker Week October 15: Friendly Visiting/Telephone Reassurance Day October 16: Respite Services Day October 17: Exercise and Falls Prevention Day October 21-25: Adult Day Program Week October 28: Transportation Services Day October 29: Attendant Services Day On October 23, join us in celebrating the work CCD does to support our community. The Open House is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about how our programs and services help residents of Durham Region live healthy, independent lives Community Care Durham Celebrates Support Month