Submitted by: Gwen Kavanagh, the Barrie Seniors & Accessibility Advisory Committee
October is fast approaching, and Thanksgiving is coming soon. I want to bring your attention to two Barrie CARP Chapter events and one event at Allandale Recreation Centre that I hope you will be interested in.
First, on the evening of Oct. 6, there will be a mayoral debate featuring the four candidates, listed alphabetically by surname: Alex Nuttall, Tanya Saari, Kay Sayer and Russell Tighe. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
The debate will be held at Grace United Church, 350 Grove St. E., from 7 to 9 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Five questions from different organizations will be put to the candidates to ensure a variety of important topics are covered. Hopefully, there will also be time at the end for audience members to ask their own questions.
Rogers TV will also be present to film the debate.
Music lovers might want to attend Concerts in Care Ontario, featuring the Trek Duo (violin and cello), on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 14, at Allandale Recreation Centre’s main hall at 1:30 p.m.
Thirdly, and very importantly, there is a Successful Aging Expo being held Thursday, Oct. 29, at Mapleview Church, 300 Mapleview Ave. W., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with nearly 60 booths.
There will also be presentations in the upstairs room covering interesting and relevant topics, such as seniors’ housing. Admission is free, and I believe organizers are expecting between 600 and 800 attendees. Hopefully, this will become an annual event.
BARRIE VOTES: Online and by phone voting takes place Oct. 16 to 26, which may be more convenient for some seniors. Please remember that new ward boundaries are now in effect.
To confirm your new ward, call 705-726-4242. You should have received a letter in September with your voting PIN. If you have not received your letter by Oct. 13, call 705-728-8683. If you wish to vote online, go to [email protected]. Please remember not to share your PIN with anyone.

