All posts by SHLF

Stayner bookstore a labour of love

Three years ago, as Troy Disabato was about to start moving his books into the Torn Pages storefront, an apartment fire devastated his collection.

But the burned books sparked Disabato’s romance with Stayner.

“That was an eye-opener,” Disabato, a 28-year-old born and raised in New Lowell, said. “It showed me how nice this town is.”

A number of residents raised books for the store and encouraged him to keep on. Students at the New Lowell Public School, Disabato’s elementary school, raised books for the shop.

“There’s a lot of love and passion for a used-book store in town,” Disabato said.

Now, Disabato said, he’s not only filled his apartment with books, his parents’ and grandparents’ homes are also full of books.

“We’re a book family,” Disabato said. “I didn’t know so many of them were book readers.”

Disabato said his store, and his love of reading, has made him even closer with his family.

With a large inventory, Disabato said he’s got a wide variety in his stock.

“I sell a bit of everything,” Disabato said.

In the summer, he needs to keep beach reads like romance novels and thrillers stocked. In the winter, Stayner’s readers are looking for true crime and horror novels.

But year-round, the trends seem to depend on what’s hot on Netflix.

The Crown spurred a fascination with the Royal Family and British novels, while Stranger Things attracted fans of supernatural thrillers to the store.

Part of running a book store is trying to entice customers to stop in.

For Valentine’s Day this year, Disabato offered a 50 per cent discount on romance novels with characters embracing on the cover.

“I want Torn Pages to be a fun store,” Disabato said.

“Now that I run the store, I read everything,” Disabato said. “I even read romance novels because I want to know something I can relate to customers.”

Disabato said he’s currently finishing Dan Brown’s latest thriller, Origin.

But one of his most memorable reads is Gabrielle Zevin’s novel The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, about a bookseller. Disabato has a copy, but it’s not for sale; he said he’s not even willing to lend it out.

As well as running the bookstore, Disabato is a member of the Stayner Lions Club and a director for the Stayner Chamber of Commerce. Before, opening Torn Pages, Disabato worked as a personal support worker.

“Confidence-wise, this store has been a life-changer,” Disabato said. “I wasn’t the most outgoing, and this store got me out there.”

Disabato said he’s at the store about 10 hours a day.

“Running the store is a lot of work,” he said, “but I’m in my element. I love what I do.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be a millionaire,” Disabato said, “but I feel rich in so many ways.”

On Sept. 29, Torn Pages will host an event with local author Tamara Thompson.

Torn Pages is at and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shawn Scott — Oro-Medonte Ward 4

Your New Voice, Representing Your Concerns.

Personal background: I was born and raised in Mississauga and moved to Oro-Medonte over 15 years ago. I lived on Lakeshore Road in Ward 4 until my family and I bought a larger rural property, also in Ward 4.

Professional background: I retired in 2016 having served almost 33 years with a large municipal police service. I retired as a sergeant and served as an acting staff sergeant for three of my last five years. During the course of my career I worked in uniform patrol, criminal investigations, intelligence services, operational planning and resources, internal affairs and the communications (911) centre.

Notable Professional Attributes:

Recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal.

Recipient of the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for my contributions to Canada.

Past member of the International Association and Ontario Association of Law Enforcement Planners.

Authored and co-authored business cases to develop new initiatives and facilities, including joint use facilities, which in turn save the community unnecessary expenses.

Trained human rights investigator.

Guest instructor and facilitator at the Canadian Police College — Senior Police Administration Course.

My final posting was in the communications bureau (911) where I managed 141 personnel and a multimillion dollar budget.

Why vote for me?

My professional career has afforded me the opportunity to experience a wide range of sub-professions ranging from uniform patrol to corporate research. This experience has broadened my abilities to not only engage in conflict resolution but to prepare business cases, monitor and improve policies, manage a large workforce and manage multimillion dollar budgets.

I have volunteered to community events extensively throughout my life, most notably; Track Official — Oro World’s Fair; Victim Services; Cops for Cancer; United Way; MS Society and as a nonparent goalie coach.

I have proven throughout my life that I am an honourable servant of the community and will continue to do so if given this honour and responsibility — representing all of Oro-Medonte’s concerns.

I believe that we can preserve our heritage while encouraging responsible growth in farming, tourism, recreation and business.


Fram to present development concepts for Wasaga beachfront

The company developing Wasaga Beach’s municipally-owned properties in the downtown and on the beachfront is looking for your input.

Fram Building Group will be holding a redevelopment community meeting on Aug. 15, from 7 until 9 p.m.

The company will be presenting ‘starter development concepts’ for the first phases of the town square and beachfront projects.

Fram will be developing a residential and commercial project at the town square site at Beck and Main, and a residential development at Beach Area 2.

According to Fram, the development will “set the tone for the architectural style that will be used at the beachfront and Main Street.

Residents will have a chance to provide feedback on the development concepts, and provide input on potential design.

(Editor’s note: Story updated Aug. 14 to reflect the accurate time of the meeting. Simcoe.com apologizes for any confusion caused.)

Gateway signs deal for Simcoe County casinos

A 23-year agreement has been signed by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. for ownership of Innisfil’s Georgian Downs, Rama’s Casino Rama Resort and a new casino in the Wasaga Beach/Collingwood area.

“I am very proud to invite our colleagues at Casino Rama Resort and OLG Slots at Georgian Downs to officially join the Gateway team today,” CEO Tony Santo said.

Back in March 2018, the British Columbia-based Gateway as the winning operator to run the casinos.

With 27 Ontario properties now, Gateway has already started investing in other projects it was awarded by the OLG, including $36 million on building the new Cascades Casino in Chatham. That project will create up to 200 jobs and will feature the Buffet and Match Eatery & Public House as well.

“Gateway is reinvesting in local communities and creating thousands of new jobs by introducing our signature gaming and restaurant brands throughout Western Canada and Ontario,” Gateway chair Gabriel de Alba said. “The acquisition of the Central Gaming Bundle is the next milestone in Gateway’s growth strategy and significantly enhances our customer offerings in Ontario with the addition of a casino resort property that can be leveraged throughout our Ontario portfolio.”

Barrie-based business Nutrafarms impacts Canadian liver health

A Barrie-based business has teamed up with a not-for-profit to raise awareness for liver health.

Nutrafarms Inc. is donating $100 to the Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) for every food package sold at CLF events or by buyers who mention the CLF.

Nutrafarms offers natural, local, and organic fruits, meats, and vegetables delivered direct to homes.

“We control everything from farm to fork,” David Steele, vice-president of marketing at Nutrafarms, said. “Our mission is to provide people with a top quality, healthy alternative to commercially raised products and deliver it directly.”

“The CLF wanted to partner with corporations with like-minded ideals that dealt with products that were healthy for the liver,” Steeles said.

Nutrafarms fit with the CLF mission with its focus on healthy eating.

“Poor eating habits are a contributing factor to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” Gary Fagan, president of the CLF, said in a prepared release.

Fatty liver disease affects 7 million Canadians and is primarily caused by poor eating habits.

The CLF is the only non-governmental organization in Canada providing research for liver diseases.

More information about the CLF is available at . More information about Nutrafarms is available at .

Oro-Medonte to allow ATVs on some roadways in one-year trial

All-terrain and off-road vehicle users will be able to ride on some Oro-Medonte roadways as part of a one-year trial period.

On July 18, Oro-Medonte council amended a bylaw to allow the vehicles on some roadways in the township for a trial period, beginning Aug. 7.

Residents will be able to ride their vehicles in wards 2, 4, and 5, with the exception of settlement areas, between April 16 and Nov. 14. Under a previous bylaw, riders are also permitted in another area south of Highway 11 from Line 1 to Line 14/15 between Jan. 1 and March 15.

Oro-Medonte resident Allan Baker was vocal in his opposition to the bylaw amendment, presenting a petition of 600 residents who supported the status quo to council.

He said residents have a number of concerns.

“The biggest one obviously is safety,” Baker said.

Enforcing the boundaries of the permitted areas and rules surrounding the bylaw also present a challenge, he said.

He noted there is an ATV/ORV user group who plans to act as a “neighbourhood watch” and help enforce the rules, but he said he doesn’t see what authority they’ll be able to exercise. “Ultimately the enforcement lies with the OPP and they just don’t have the resources.”

Shawn Scott, the Oro-Medonte resident who spearheaded the ATV/ORV proposal to council, said he has at least 50 people who have volunteered to help with enforcement through a program called Safety Through Observation Reporting and Education.

Scott said they can approach people seen not safely obeying the bylaw and educate them.

“If offenses continue to be observed, what those people can do is they can notify myself, or one of the other four people that are going to be the points of contact with the OPP,” he said, adding the OPP Snow-Vehicle, All-Terrain Vehicle, and Vessel Enforcement team has told him they are willing to assist.  

As for why ATV/ORV users want to access the roadways, Scott said it will make it easier for them to access recreational activities and to do other things like snowplowing and wood harvesting.

“It’s not to be a mode of transportation per-se, it’s more to allow us to get to and do certain activities.”

There are no approved trails for the vehicles in the Simcoe County forests in Oro-Medonte, but riders could use the roads to access trails in Severn Township.

Oro-Medonte’s Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough also shared concerns about the bylaw during the July 18 meeting, including liability if someone were to sue over an accident on township roads.

“If somebody sues and names the township, even if we’re found one per cent responsible, we could be liable for 100 per cent of any award,” he said, adding, “They’re not designed for road use.”

Despite the opposition, Scott hopes ATV/ORV users will get a chance to prove themselves responsible road users.

“I’d like the people who oppose this to at least give it an opportunity,” Scott said.

For more information about ATV/ORV use in Oro-Medonte, visit

Penetanguishene residents’ loyalty helping businesses through construction impact

The impact of construction on businesses along Penetanguishene’s Main Street has been softened thanks to the tremendous effort the community has made in shopping locally, according to owners of several shops and restaurants that line the downtown.

“My customers have been very loyal to the business,” said Phil Karpathios, owner of Phil’s Family Restaurant at 48 Main Street. “If your customers aren’t loyal and still coming here to support your business, then (the construction) could impact you even more.”

While the massive reconstruction project has caused some headaches in regards to parking, building accessibility, noise, and resulted in numerous detours, residents are still coming out to support local businesses.

“There were slow days … and some of the clientele that have mobility issues obviously didn’t come out, but a lot of people made an effort to come here,” said Karpathios.

While Karpathios has noticed a drop in sales over the summer months, impact from the complete overhaul of Main Street hasn’t been as painful as he thought.

“I think it went better than expected,” he said. “During this whole time, the (construction) company has done a great job. I have nothing negative to say. There have been a few hiccups, but they have dealt with them and accommodated businesses as much as they can.”

These sentiments were reiterated by several other business owners along Penetanguishene’s main corridor, with many uttering nothing but praise for the work the crews have done.

“The crews have been amazing. They will stop everything they are doing and will direct people and make sure they know where they need to go,” said JoAnn Menard, owner of OMG Men and Women’s Fashions.

Construction crews were paving part of the street directly in front of Menard’s store at 77 Main Street late last week. While the front entrance to her store was difficult to access, she still had a positive outlook on the situation.

“I just keep reminding people that we should be so lucky to get a brand-new street,” said Menard, believing the town is going to be better off in the long run.

The overall Impact from construction is about what she expected, as walk-in traffic has dwindled while crews tear up and rebuild the main street.

“The only difference that I’ve noticed is (the lack of) tourists that would normally be walking the street,” said Menard, estimating she has done 15 to 20 per cent less business than usual.

Like Karpathios, she credits the locals for going over and above to help ensure her business survives the challenges create by the construction.

“Local people are coming in on the regular and they are trying to support local even more because they don’t want us to go out of business. That’s what I have found,” said Menard.

Dianne Bald of Arbour’s Flower Shoppe has had a similar experience throughout the construction with walk-in traffic down and her sales suffering because of it.

“The (lack of) traffic on the Main Street has impacted all businesses. My sales are down from last year,” said Bald. “Flowers are a perishable product and that makes a difference.”

While she has definitely noticed a decline in sales, she credits locals for helping her business stick around through the tough times.

“We do a lot of local business. It is down a bit, but many locals have really gone the extra mile to send flowers or stop in at the shop. They have been supportive, that’s for sure,” said Bald.

The construction workers have also gone the extra mile, according to Bald. Often helping people cross the street and even stopping by to see how they are doing.

Nick Boudouris, owner of World Famous Dock Lunch, completely agrees with the praise.

“I congratulate the Town. I think the contractor is doing a fantastic job,” Boudouris said.

The Dock Lunch dealt with the impacts of construction early in the summer, as the restaurant is situated down at the Town Dock, where construction began.

Although construction shut down Main Street access to the restaurant from April through to the end of June, Boudouris ensured signs were in place and up-to-date routes were known so patrons could make their way to his restaurant and the waterfront.

“When I found out that this was going to happen, I personally reached out and did some different promotions to say that we were still going to be open,” said Boudouris. “We also talked to our staff, explained what was happening and told them how to direct people to come down to the business.”

He understands the realities of the project and believes the end result will be worth it.

“It is something that needs to be done, no matter what, and it is only going to be good for us in the long run,” said Boudouris.


George Cabral — Springwater Township Ward 1

This year marks my 30th year a resident of Springwater. During this time I’ve been very fortunate to enjoy the wonderful lifestyle that the Village of Elmvale, and the surrounding township of Springwater, affords everyone by combining its unique small-town charm with a vibrant rural farming community.

My two children grew up here, attended school here, and continue to maintain close connections here. My spouse and I are proud to live here, and cherish the relationships we’ve built along the way. Over the years I’ve been involved with Scouts Canada, Elmvale figure skating, community fundraisers, and for eight years as director of the Ontario Police Badge Ride, a charity motorcycle event.

I’m a retired police officer, having served more than 30 years, two of them as an instructor at the Ontario Police College. My experience in community service, and building community partnerships, provides me the skills and abilities to unite and engage others to move forward. I pride myself on being fair and open, always looking past road blocks that stop others, in order to achieve consensus and produce solutions.

Since 2008, while under seasonal contract to Springwater, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside very dedicated individuals. This experience has provided me unique insight and understanding into the workings of our township, both inside and out.

I’m grateful to our community for all its provided, and now it’s time to give back. I am seeking the privilege to represent you, to be your voice, to press your concerns and issues on your behalf. I believe it’s critical to keep our rural flavour intact, and even more so given the significant changes coming with more housing, more development and the added strain on our infrastructure. We all work hard for our living, and I will strive to make sure your tax dollars are working hard for you every single day.

Email: [email protected]

Phone:

Website:

Facebook:

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Shawn Leis — Protestant Separate School Board trustee Penetanguishene

My name is Shawn Leis and I have been a resident of Penetanguishene for 23 years. I am a proud father of two Burkevale Protestant Separate School graduates. As a trustee for the past seven years, my primary goal has been to advocate at all levels of the school system — the board, school, staff, parents and students. Having had two sons attend Burkevale for their elementary education, continuing to support this excellent school is a top priority and personal goal. Activities involving children and youth continue to be an extracurricular focus, having recently completed four years on the Penetanguishene Minor Hockey Association board and working as a part-time college instructor.

The attributes I possess, that contribute to fulfilling my role of trustee, include board experience, business acumen and a strong value of a quality education. I have completed board directorship training from DeGroote Business School/Conference Board of Canada and have served on multiple boards, including church stewardship chair and member (10 years) and church vision committee member (one year). As finance chair of the PSSBP, we have moved from an ongoing deficit to five straight years of surpluses (2013-2017), with an additional surplus projected this year.

During my seven-year tenure as a trustee, in addition to holding the finance chair position, I am also a member of the hiring committee and have been the chair of transportation and chair of supervised alternative learning. If elected, priorities will continue to focus on providing the constituents with a balanced budget, while effectively managing our current significant growth patterns.

Being a professional accountant with a master’s degree has led to a successful executive career in manufacturing. Combining my love of education with my business acumen provides a well-rounded professional capable of serving our school’s vision. I want to continue to promote, and celebrate, a school that provides a unique Faith-based education within a tight-knit, family-oriented community.

My contact information is and

Wasaga contractor looks to be a construction leader

Jeffrey Fuhre wants to lead the pack on home renovations.

Fuhre — whose name translated in English is ‘leader’ — launched Packleader Construction in March. His company does commercial and home renovations and additions.

“I wanted to go with Leader Construction, but someone already had it,” he said with a laugh. “I was several months trying to think of a name; every good name I thought of, someone had.

“One night I thought, ‘pack leader.'”

Fuhre said his family has been in the construction and contracting business for decades, so it’s only natural he fell into the trade. 

To learn more visit Packleader’s website: