You can check out details of the latest decisions and discussions at Whitby Council in the monthly Council Highlights.

The April Council Highlights include:

• New traffic calming measures approved for Port Whitby area
• Council approves scholarship partnership between Whitby Fire, Durham College
• Update on Downtown Whitby BIA budget and 2024 plans
• Plans move forward for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to remove contaminated sediment from Whitby Harbour

On April 3, the Town of Whitby announced the next phase of the hospital advocacy campaign, which launched on Feb. 7. Over the first eight weeks of the campaign, thousands of people signed the call-to-action letter or shared a personal story about why a new hospital matters to them. During the next phase, orange hearts will be put up in the windows of Town facilities – each heart representing a person who has supported the campaign. To learn more or sign the letter, visit whitby.ca/newhospital

I’m very pleased to share that the 2024 lead grant recipients for the Mayor’s Community Development Fund have been confirmed! The fund is offered by the Town of Whitby to support local groups, events, and initiatives that benefit the community through lead grants of up to $25,000 and community grants of up to $5,000. Funding is raised through two annual events -- the Mayor's Gala and the Mayor's Golf Tournament. The 2024 lead grant recipients are Lakeridge Health Foundation ($25,000), Durham Children's Aid Foundation ($20,000), Alzheimer Society of Durham Region ($15,000), Whitby Professional Fire Fighters Association ($20,000), and Wounded Warriors Canada ($20,000). The Grants Review Committee has also approved a number of Community Grants and will continue to review applications for Community Grants throughout 2024.To learn more about the Mayor’s Community Development Fund, visit whitby.ca/en/town-hall/mcdf-grant-recipients.aspx

The Town of Whitby recently ran a survey asking residents to choose between four contenders for Whitby’s official tree: the Honey Locust, Tamarack, Kentucky Coffee Tree, and Tulip Tree. I’m thrilled to share that the Tulip Tree won with 50 per cent of the votes! The Tulip Tree is a fast-growing tree that can live up to 300 years and grow up to 50 metres tall. It has broad leaves and fragrant flowers shaped like tulips, which attract bees, hummingbirds, and tiger swallowtail butterflies. Thank you to all the residents who participated in the survey!

This is our monthly shout-out to those who make Whitby proud. If you know a person, group, or organization that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Congratulations to Whitby resident Grace Shaw for receiving the 2023 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism from the Province of Ontario. In memory of late author and journalist, June Callwood, the award recognizes the leadership, innovation, and contributions of volunteers, volunteer administrators, and volunteer organizations that step up to help others, support communities, and build a stronger Ontario. I recently had the privilege of presenting Grace with a certificate from the Town of Whitby in recognition of her many contributions.

• Kudos to all the organizers and participants who make Parkrun happen every week in our community. Parkrun recently celebrated its 7^th anniversary in April. This weekly event brings together walkers and joggers to enjoy camaraderie and physical activity. Since launching in 2017, more than 1,600 participants have completed thousands of Parkruns with the support of over 220 volunteers. Keep up the amazing work!

• A huge shout out to Mary Poirier (pictured above) winner of the 2024 Mayor’s Senior Volunteer Award! Mary was recognized at a ceremony on April 20. Her years of volunteer experience include working with Scouts Canada, Girl Guides of Canada, the Refuge, the Whitby Legion, the Humane Society, Hospice Whitby, and Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre. 

Three new inductees were welcomed into the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame at a ceremony on April 27. Congratulations to Roxanne Curtis, Came Stone, and the 1984 Whitby Warriors lacrosse team! These athletes are role models to Whitby residents of all ages – inspiring people to get involved in sports, work towards their goals, and strive for excellence. Our town has a long history of athletic excellence, and the Whitby Sports Hall of Fame does important work by making sure these accomplishments are preserved, promoted, and celebrated. Click here to read more about these inspiring athletes!

I was very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Molly the Fire Dog . For many years, Molly and her handler Terry Von Zuben provided fire safety education and mental health support to people in our community and beyond. Molly was a local celebrity at community events and schools, connecting with people of all ages. Molly and Terry also participated in the Pet Therapy Program at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.  Whitby Fire and Emergency Services will include a tribute to Molly in the 2024 Everalert pamphlet distributed to homes in Whitby this summer.

Spring is here and for many of us, that means gardening. Did you know the Town of Whitby encourages residents and community groups to create and operate community gardens on owned and leased Town lands? Community gardens are shared green spaces where residents can grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers while enjoying social interactions. Examples in Whitby include Hebron Community Garden, St. John’s Anglican Church Community Garden, and the Whitby-Ajax Garden Project. Town of Whitby staff will work closely with any groups interested in starting a community garden.  Click here to learn more about how to apply, as well as the Town’s rules and regulations for community gardens.  You can also learn more about community gardens in Durham Region through Durham Integrated Growers. 

Popular downtown Whitby restaurant Nice Bistro recently closed permanently after the owners decided to transition to a well-earned retirement. For more than 30 years, Nice Bistro was family-owned and operated, serving classic French dishes in a warm bistro setting, to the delight of residents and visitors to our downtown. Thank you to Manon, Bernard, Phillipe, and Olivier for your many contributions to our community over the years. Nice Bistro will be missed. 

Perspective Studio Productions is a new creative studio located in downtown Whitby at 101 ½ Mary St West. Fully equipped to amplify your voice and drop your perspective on the mic as an audio or video podcast! The studio is designed to offer flexibility to accommodate podcasting, fireside chats, photography,and intimate networking events or classes. If you're a small business, a solopreneur, content creator, or simply want to check out the new space, open house hours are taking place in May on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Perspective Studio Productions is hosting its first intimate event in May, Intentionally Me! This gathering is designed to nurture the spirit and help attendees align their actions with their aspirations. Indulge in light snacks, mocktails, guided journaling and affirmations, and open-hearted conversation about elevating into your best self. For more information perspectivestudioproductions.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook @PerspectiveStudioProductions

• Saturday, May 4 is Curbside Giveaway Day. Organized in cooperation with the Region of Durham, this event is an opportunity for residents to place unwanted items in good condition -- clearly marked FREE— at the curb for anyone to pick up. At the end of the Giveaway Day, residents return unclaimed items to their home. Please ensure items whether new or used, are safe and meet current regulatory requirements. It is important to only place items that are in good condition. Damaged items should be discarded. Visit durham.ca/waste for more details.
• The Whitby Farmer’s Market opens for the season on Wednesday, May 15!  The market runs Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Celebration Square. You can find lots of local produce as well as baked goods, local honey, gourmet products and so much more. Stay tuned for the Brooklin Farmer’s Market to open in June.

• Food Truck Frenzy is coming up May 25 and 26 at Iroquois Park Sports Centre.  The Rotary Club of Whitby hosts this popular annual event which has drawn up to 25,000 people in past years. This year is the 10^th anniversary! Since 2014, Food Truck Frenzy has raised nearly $400,000 that has gone directly back into supporting the local community.   

• The 2024 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s is Saturday, May 25 at Cullen Central Park in Whitby. The event includes several walking options with accessible one km, three km and  five km trails as well as entertainment and activities for all ages. There are nearly 12,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias across Durham Region. The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s supports vital programs and services for all those impacted by dementia in our community. Visit alzgiving.ca/asdr for more information or to register.