The Shelburne Freelancer

                     Shelburne's Online Newspaper Since 2015 

                    

A Goal Comes To 

Fruition!

Meet the Founder of the Grumpy Old Men Motorcycle Riding Club, Fork Lift Driver, Husband, Father and Grandfather, (L)Don Moquin, also known as "Grumpy".  

Grumpy visited The Shelburne Residence on December 19, 2015, bringing gifts, entertainment and a special message. Grumpy and his entourage of like minded charitable "Good Deeders" would like to improve the stigma motorcycle clubs are historically known for. "I'd like people to know motorcycle clubs are not a bunch of bad guys. Our Club participates in many charitable functions and we've visited Sick Kids Hospital, My Sister's Place, Blue Door, and this year we've adopted a family for Christmas," commented Grumpy. 

This visit to the Shelburne Residence is Grumpy's second visit and this year he brought along a friend from the newly formed Motorcycle Club, the TCB Riders(Taking Care Of Business), Elvis impersonator, Dave Hodgins to entertain the residents of the Shelburne Residence adding a musical flair to their holiday cheer. Founded in 2006 and only five members strong, The Grumpy Old Men Motorcycle Riding Club began its mission of charitable good deeds and Grumpy would like to see even more Motorcycle Clubs follow suit, commenting," It's good for people to visit seniors. Show them they are important to us, thank them for all they have done for us, especially over Christmas. People sometimes forget about older people. Everything we do comes out of our own pockets. For me, as to why I do this?I have to be able to give back. We're bikers, and we're good guys."

Hodgins, a Transit Enforcement Officer, Elvis impersonator and TCB Riders Motorcycle Club founder,  also has the same drive to give back. "I entertain, put a smile on their faces and it's a present for me!"

What a fun Day! The message is clear, 

Do Not Forget Our Beloved Seniors!

Contact Grumpy Old Men Motorcycle Riding Club at 1-705-241-9693, email grumpyoldmen4u@hotmail.com and visit them on facebook. To Contact Elvis, call 905-171-9222 or email david_hodgins@hotmail.com

Shelburne's Foodland has a charitable idea for any pocket size and they can't keep up with demand! 

(LtoR) Foodland's Front End Manager, Amanda Walker, and Assistant Front End Manager Barbara Hewlett, were very pleased to see Foodland's charitable idea in support of Shelburne's Food Bank flying off the shelves. Foodland customers are able to purchase pre-stuffed brown bags, full of a variety of groceries, labelled with what exactly is inside the bag, and in a variety of price ranges. What a fabulous concept for customers. So many people discover how expensive the Christmas season can become, but still want to support a charity. Foodland's charitable idea makes it easy for every person's budget. Just purchase a bag of your choice in support of the Shepherd's Cupboard on your way to the cash! Foodland also has a collection bin on the way out of the store, ensuring your donation will get to the Foodbank. Walker commented, " We have been doing this idea for years, usually around all the holiday seasons, and corresponding to the Police Toy Drive, and Shelburne Fire Department Food and Toy Drive's held here in the parking lot." Located at Giant Tiger Plaza, Foodland is conveniently located for shoppers and donators alike!

Giant Tiger Store Owner, Andrew Lewis and Staff have waiting for the Shelburne Police Services Annual Stuff A Cruiser Food & Toy Drive in support of the Salvation Army. "We began our Icon Fundraiser November 15th and it ran until December 8th. We chose Angels as our Icon and those who paid $2 placed an Angel on the tree. Customers raised $27,000! I'd really like to thank all the townspeople for their support," Lewis commented proudly as he and staff brought out two of many shopping carts filled with toys as their donation. (LtoR) Auxiliary Constable Stephanie Colarossi, Giant Tiger's Grocery Head, Karl Bowman, Giant Tiger Cahies, Jessica Davidson, Auxiliary Constable Dennis Jeronimo and Giant Tiger Owner, Andrew Lewis. 

(L)President and General Manager of Bayshore Broadcasting, Ross Kentner, is very excited about the future of radio and radio's future in Shelburne, Ontario. In a candid interview with The Shelburne Freelancer, Kentner explained the difficult process in achieving a radio station located in Shelburne. Arduous to say the least, the complicated and politically riddled goal took several years, a lot of help from supporters and unbridled dedication from all who attended the Official Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held on Saturday, December 5, 2015. 

"It's so difficult to start up, airwaves are public property and there are applications to the CRTC(Canadian Radio -Television Telecommunications Commission)where situations can get locked up," explained Kentner, adding,"A decision to award 104.9 came in 2011 when we won a public hearing and then there were delays in the municipal process. Finally when we got through all the required approvals, we could build. We purchased a SIRA antenna, a very high quality antenna from Italy,brought it over by boat, and because of the high quality we reach a vast area including Barrie, Orillia, New Market, even the greater GTA. We have 50,000 watts and are the 2nd largest station you can have in Canada." 

When asked what Kentner has observed in the many years he has worked in this industry,his answer was very poignant commenting," The thing that amazes me the most is to sadly see the demise of print and also to observe television is in trouble while radio continues to thrive. Something in me long ago felt that radio would thrive and it has. 

Young people are some of our biggest fans and this station's area is turning out some great country talent. I still believe we'll be in the radio business a long time!"

Radio is a very important form of communication, bonding a community with like minded interests, an indication of growth both socially and financially and if the past is evidence of what tomorrow will hold, radio promises not only to be resilient, but will continue to thrive and will do so symbiotically with Shelburne, possibly becoming the Country Music Capital of Ontario if Bayshore Broadcasting has any say in the matter. Having accomplished so much with Country 105 FM, the sky really is limitless.