‘We are the Villagers’ celebrating a year of success

By Sharon Weatherall

‘We are the Villagers’ of North Simcoe can give themselves a huge pat on the back.

Since incorporating nearly a year ago, the innovative children’s charity can boast close to 50 children already registered in Villager programs and 22 active volunteers now working with kids. The organization has raised $72,000 through community supported events and has 18 more volunteers eagerly waiting for kids in programs. We are the Villagers has brought smiles to families across the area through establishing equal opportunity  - the program covers costly fees allowing more children to participate in  sports, music, art and other recreational programs supported by the organization.

We are the Villagers is the brainchild of Julianna Matyas and Geoff Crompton  - two Midland business people who believe it takes a village to raise a child. Through their passion to help others the pair developed a program that puts the responsibility on ‘Villagers’ to nurture, support, inspire,  motivate, validate and bring joy to the children that need it.

“It’s all about children and it’s for all children. We have had 44 children registered in programs since January and more applications are on the way. We should have 50 kids by the end of this month,” said Matyas proudly.

“We raised enough money to get the program up and running prior to starting and have had generous continuing support from the community with each event we have.”

Crompton says the goal of The Villagers in its first year was to encourage the local business community to participate through hosting fundraiser events themselves or contributing to Silent Auctions and to enlist the help of senior citizens whom would benefit as much from the interaction with children and volunteers. So far many of those goals have come to fruition and a reputation is growing for the good work of the organization.

“We are planning to do at least ten fundraisers per year to raise money engaging the community on all levels. We will actively involve schools, Salvation Army, Children’s Aid program and other community groups to assist us in identifying families who could benefit by our program,” said Crompton.  

Matyas says while local businesses have been extremely supportive, assistance comes through the community as a whole - everyone from residents to politicians are embracing the concept. She and Crompton recently met with Garfield Dunlop for lunch to tell him about the organization and won the Simcoe North MP over.  

“We look forward to MP Garfield Dunlop’s enthusiasm for our ‘children’s movement’ and anticipate a long lived association with him. He was very enthusiastic and says he wants to put together an event to support us,” said Matyas.

MP Dunlop inquired what The Villagers plans were to move forward and Matyas answered, "non-stop as far as it can go". She wanted to wait until the Villagers was up and running for a year before approaching Dunlop so he could actually see the success – it was a move that paid off by gaining his support for the idea.

Matyas says the success Villagers are experiencing comes through a lot of work for volunteers, with all monies going back into the organization except the actual cost to cover events. The Villagers premier function took place last June at the Library Restaurant in Midland with a five course dinner - the ‘Simply Splendiferous Soiree’ sold out. Since then the organization has hosted several more events including two fashion shows, a Valentine’s Day Dance, a surf and turf Murder Mystery Dinner, and various involvement with community celebrations.

The Villagers are really getting out there and have plenty more events on the schedule for this year. On July 1^st there will be face painting and children’s activities in the park, participation in the August 16/17 Art Walk, a third Fashion Show on October 6^th, a scarecrow making event this fall and another Murder Mystery Dinner on September 15^th  - just to name a few.

“We just enjoyed a very successful Murder Mystery Dinner and tickets sales were really good. The event was a lot of fun and sponsored by TD Bank, Union Taxi, Matyas Consulting, Library Restaurant, Jones Aluminum, The Mirror, BC Roofing and the Water Stop. It was the first time we had gone to the community so the response was excellent,” said Matyas.

“Something else very exciting is that Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program plans to partner with us – this is big news and details are in the works now.”

Local service clubs are coming on board to support The Villagers as Matyas spreads the word. Tiny Lions Club presented Matyas with a cheque for $500 after she recently spoke for them and Rotary Club of Penetanguishene did a donation in support of the Georgian Bay Cancer Centre in her name.  When she talks about the program, Matyas shares stories about the kids involved and their achievements. The Villagers has already had program sponsored award winners resulting from one sport and looks forward to many more. She says knowing that people care helps inspire self-esteem and confidence in kids.
   

The Villagers now have active programs in jujitsu, cross fit, art, dance and music programs, singing lessons, ball hockey, soccer, various summer camps and are currently dealing with hockey registration for this fall.

“Since beginning, we have now started a tutoring leg with kids from grade seven that only read at a grade two level. This will help to give them a fighting chance at high school. We have teachers as volunteer tutors who are qualified to help if there is a need and music teachers are volunteering their service to tutor piano, guitar, trumpet and other lessons which are all ongoing,” said Matyas.

“Assistance depends on the income of the parents and the length of the program. We put up the cost for the program and uniforms.  The hitch is that the kids have to promise to stay focused on their school work and do the best they can at school.”

Another personal touch of The Villagers is all children who become involved are met with on a one-to-one basis before entering a program.

“We like to impress upon the kids the importance of school and life in general by helping to build their self-esteem and bring joy into their lives.  We inspire them by letting them know that to do well in school will help them do well in life,” said Matyas.

We are the Villagers is wide spread supporting children not only in Midland and Penetanguishene but other North Simcoe communities including Honey Harbour, Waubaushene, Port McNicoll, Elmvale, Wyevale and surrounding area, and reaching as far away as Port Severn, Barrie and Vaughan.  In time, Matyas hopes The Villagers will continue to grow into the neighbouring areas of Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township and further.  The charity has both an executive and operating board which makes it different from other organizations and distinguishes it as being unique.

We are the Villagers is a charity Matyas has dreamed of starting her whole life and to watch it developing so quickly is a real thrill. To see so many community members embrace the concept and come on board in just one year has been elating for both Matyas and Crompton. However, they realize success comes one step at a time through hard work and public awareness.

“The Villagers are growing in momentum and we are trying to put on quality events to give back to the people who support us. We are trying to make the events into ‘date nights’ and something that people look forward to going to,” said Matyas.

For more information on We are the Villagers or to find out about upcoming events contact the Library Restaurant toll free at 1-855-528-5252 or visit the web site: www.wearethevillagers.com

Psychic Workshop in Penetanguishene Ontario generates positivity

 

By Sharon Weatherall

A group of very receptive people tuned into the spirit world during a two day ‘Psychic Workshop & Paranormal Investigation’ led by Jackie Dennison of the successful ‘Rescue Mediums’ TV show and Steve Furlong from ‘Feathers Academy’ in England.

The event took place at Centennial Museum in Penetanguishene, Ontario kicking off on the Friday evening with a viewing of the popular Rescue Mediums segment filmed on the location two years ago. This show aired on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and featured some exciting stuff including the introduction of ‘Charles Beck’ – 19^th century lumber baron and a town founder. Nine spirits were discovered inhabiting the historical old Beck Store which is now the museum. The Rescue Mediums found the building had a portal to the spirit world which is guarded carefully by Mr. Beck - a permanent guest at the museum. During the taping of the show several ghostly haunts were helped through to the light by Dennison and her co-host Allison Wynne-Ryder, while others remained behind. 

As a frequent visitor to the museum, I always felt the air there was stuffy and lay heavily on my chest. From my first visit many years ago I felt an unseen presence about and my suspicions were quickly confirmed by the staff working there. Bumps and bangs in the Great Hall upstairs, whispering voices, items being moved about and camera batteries draining in no time were commonplace in the museum and still are. However, I must admit that since the evacuation of several spirits the atmosphere of the old building has greatly improved and the air is much fresher and easier to breathe.

According to Dennison Centennial Museum was home to the “most spirits” she has encountered in Rescue Mediums’ history and therefore, an excellent place to host workshops for those who wish to learn more about the psychic realm. The second of two psychic events took place this spring and as it turns out there were spirits in the house at the most recent, keeping an eye on what was going on. One fellow – a former care taker of the building was getting a bit anxious with the gathering and kept on sighing while a little lad joined the activities popping in from time to time as well. After doing some research, museum staff reported the little boy was quite likely a member of the Beck family who had passed away as a child.

Also a female face was captured digitally by Dennison who she believes this was likely the daughter of Charles Beck - Mary. Her presence was strongly felt throughout the weekend.

“We did a séance Saturday evening and believe it was Mary Beck who was present,” said Dennison.

“We had a smaller, closer group of participants this year which bonded creating a higher energy level in the building.” 

One Barrie Ontario area woman wore her mother’s ring at the workshop. Having passed away four years prior, the mother made contact through another workshop participant and showed herself in a picture as a bright pink and white aura surrounding her daughter who is a member of the Barrie Haunted Group.

Saturday’s workshop consisted of pendulum work and participants trying to identify animal totems which can sometimes end up being totally different to what a person expects. Animal totems are spirit guides or protectors that can be anything from a bird or chipmunk to a domestic cat which takes on the qualities of other cats such as tigers, jaguars, and lions. The day involved the grounding, protection, opening and closing of chakras during guided meditations.

On Sunday participants were taken on a journey into the past through meditative regression as well as shown how to access the ‘Akashic Records’ - subconscious records which are part of the ‘Hall of Knowledge’.  Dennison and Furlong explained the best way to achieve universal awareness is while you are in a dreamlike state before waking or before going to sleep using meditation, psychic energy, spiritual awareness, yoga or astral travel. The vast universal knowledge can be used for personal healing of hurts from past and present life or to increase knowledge about questions you may have.

“Everyone has a free will and can choose to come right back or linger. Consciously we can draw on information from previous lives to help us today in our present life,” said Dennison.

Furlong spoke on the positive power of ‘Cosmic Ordering’ referring to the popular book “The Secret” which was published a few years back. He says it’s all about maintaining a positive attitude in all you do - sending out positive thoughts and needs into the universe then waiting for them to happen. He says many people in life are unhappy because they dwell on the negative.

I truly believe in this concept which stimulates a person to take stock of life and think about what they want and where they want to go in the future. Positively feeds success, while negative thoughts can hold you back.

“You need to assess why you don’t have the life you really want and deal with that negative energy and move forward. Negative energy stops us from achieving what we want and need, so we have to stop this and move past it. Negative subconscious repels universal energy while positive subconscious allows everything to slot into place,” said Furlong.

“It is important to discover what trigger caused the negative subconscious and once it has been addressed you can move forward. Situations in the past can keep you from going forward. If you spend all your time with the small things you won’t have time for the important stuff in life.”

Furlong invited participants to make a list splitting their priorities into three columns – rocks, pebbles and sand and then to write a letter to themselves about what things they would like to change in future. Doing so helped put things like family, careers and health into perspective opposite stress, worry and small things that don’t matter but can end up consuming one’s life. 

“Successful people always find the positive and believe things will happen,” said Furlong.

“To make it happen we have to connect with our energy on a regular basis. We are all connected to the universe and when you are putting something out there you are connecting with something that is greater than all. You have to decide what you really want and be ready for what you ask for – be honest with what you want. Once you get the universe to listen you have to give details and a time frame for what you are asking for. We all deserve what it is we want and we just have to ask for it in a positive way.”

Since attending this workshop and becoming friends with Jackie, Steve and Allison, I have broadened my knowledge of the psychic realm and how it works. I have maintained a healthier and more positive attitude on life. I now look forward to meditating as often as I can not only to relieve stress and relax but to help me tap into the vast universal energy which is available at the blink of an eye – the third eye.

The second annual psychic workshop drew positive feedback from participants who insisted that Dennison and Furlong come back next year. To book for 2014, or obtain more information on Rescue Mediums and Feathers Academy of Clairvoyant Mediums and Holistic Therapies visit: www.feathersmediums.co.uk