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Wednesday September 1, 2010. Every hard core Beacher will want one or more! This is a must see and a must buy and a will sell out! It's a joint partnership between the Beach Photo Club and Community Centre 55 and is a masterpiece! You won't be disappointed, but you will be, if you don't put your order in now-call Nancy at 416.691.1113
Community Centre 55 enjoyed a very successful summer. Our day camp and kindercamp was full, we removed a ton of graffiti vandalism and through-up two murals on graffiti destroyed walls. All of my staff did a great job and I thank them. I continue to act as the interim Executive Director, voluntarily, until September 27, 2010 and then welcome Debbie Visconti who will take over where I left off and she will do a great job. I will miss Community Centre 55, its board, volunteers and staff beyond description. It is like a 31 year addicition. I will need a Centre55oholic Anonymous Group to help me cope.... Bob Murdoch, retired and acting Executive Director.
Tuesday August 3, 2010 We get letters... "Hi Evonne, today is ' E's' last day camp at 55, 'E' told me he loves this camp so much (he always does anyway) he said 55 is the best camp ever, and also he likes his counsellors, Aren and Paul A camp is only as good as its camp staff. So with good management and great summer councillors, well, I think we have the best summer camp anywhere! Bob Murdoch, retired and acting Executive Director. Thursday July 22, 2010 We get letters... " Thanks Sarah...Our experience at CC55 CLP has been incredible. You and your staff have provided a rich educational and social program for 'S' and 'A', and we are leaving with very mixed feelings. 'S' has been there since the first JK program. Hard to believe how the time has flown. While everyone has been amazing, I’d like to make special mention of Tina. Her patience, generosity and consistency have really helped 'S's development. She is a treasure. Many thanks. Please let us know if we can ever do anything for you. If there are interested parents who want to speak to someone about the after-school program, we would be happy to oblige. 'D' Bob Murdoch, acting/retiring Executive Director. Wednesday June 23, 2010. We get letters.... "Hello Sarah, I wanted to let you know that my daughter wont be at Centre 55's after school program for September. We will be moving to the west end of Toronto as of August 19th. I have to say though that she will miss the Centre and all its staff very much, as will I. I truly felt that my daughter was 110% safe and cared for when she was there and all the staff was exceptional at their jobs. Thank you all again for a great experience and the bar has been raised quite high for the next centre she will attend." All the Best Bob Murdoch, acting Executive Director Tuesday June 15, 2010. After weeks of hard work, fueled by an extraordinary tenacity of purpose, the Board of Management of Community Centre 55 has made their selection of the new Community Centre 55 Executive Director. It was the right decision! Watch for the announcement from our Board Chair-Jason Balgopal. Bob Murdoch, acting and soon the outgoing Executive Director .
Monday June 14, 2010. Tonight the Board of Management of Community Centre 55 may be making one of the most difficult and important decisions for the organization in 30 years. The Board has completed an exhausting recruitment and selection process for the new Executive Director. The Chair of the Board of Management-Jason Balgopal is an effective leader and has the benefit of association of a group of board members who really and deeply care about Centre 55, and I suspect he may be making an announcement soon. My blog will not reveal their selection until the Board releases a local press release. Stand by.......................... Bob Murdoch, acting and retired Executive Director. Monday May 31, 2010 We get letters..... "I wanted to ask that you pass on my praise and accolades to the Community 55 staff responsible for organizing Slobberfest. The MC, event organizers and volunteers were so helpful and kept everything running smoothly and on time. It was my first time attending with my two Siberian huskies (Sterling and Scarlett) and we had the most wonderful time. Looking forward to being there again next year! My female dog, Scarlett, was "crowned" Miss Canine Diva topping a most wonderful day. That's a picture of her below." Unfortunately I could not open the photograph and she is correct-Centre 55 has the best volunteers and staff in the known universe! Bob Murdoch, retired/acting Executive Director.
Saturday May 29, 2010. Deer Sarah "Kan we hav a pol in the rainbow room becas we ar learning about the ocean so we kan pla in the water wif rel fish." That was a request we received from some of the kids in our children's programs. Bob Murdoch acting Executive Director. Tuesday May 25, 2010. Well, I am now, more or less retired. The Board of Management of Community Centre 55 is working hard to find a suitable replacement and I think will have made a decision by mid June. In the meantime, I remain the acting Executive Director and will be in and out of the office and working remotely. The Board of Community Centre 55, the staff and volunteers, gave me an awesome send off-fit for a King but really for a pawn. I am merely a spoke in the wheel and will be replaced soon. I will never forget the respect, kindness and generosity of Centre 55 and its partners. Bob Murdoch, acting Executive Director. Monday May 10, 2010. Another beauty of the beach collapses in high winds.
Wednesday May 5, 2010. I am retiring soon and have been cleaning out my office and found this old photograph. It was taken around 1974 or 1975. There is a pencil notation on the reverse side, it says "station 55 committee". I believe this group of people to be our founding parents. They are pictured here, decommissioning one of the jail cells (our building was a police station from 1911-1975). They, and those who followed had inspiring vision. I think we made them proud. By the way-our building will be 100 years old in 2011-a century of service to the community!
Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Wednesday April 21, 2010. Lives both wasted and ruined over what! Tuesday April 20, 2010. It's difficult to really know, if the time you spend with someone has genuine impact, but today's GIG (Graffiti Impact Group ) with an adult referred to us by the courts for re-education seemed very worthwhile. I am hoping this adult graffiti vandal has gained some understanding, that his crime against property is not victimless, and he has a better vista about the economic impacts of the struggle to keep neighbourhoods clean. Phase two of his re-education will now include 4 hours of scrubbing graffiti off of public and private property. Special thanks to beach resident Scott, for spending sometime with our program. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Sunday April 18, 2010. I have a good GIG this week. The courts, in their wisdom, have referred two Graffiti Vandals to me, for my/our famous Graffiti Vandalism Re-Education Program-part of the program includes meeting with victims. We refer to these meetings as a Graffiti Impact Group (GIG). Hopefully we can get more of these criminals off the streets and into something contributing and productive. We do this in a way that includes mutual respect and dignity with some anonymity. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Friday April 9, 2010. Mr. James McLean was kind enough to send this along. You will find us at the 25 second mark. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Thursday April 1, 2010. The courts will be sending me a pair of graffiti vandals, who, separately, will be getting a good old fashioned Community Centre 55 Graffiti Vandalism Re Education. We do this in a dignified and respectful way and we seem to have positive impact and have a good reputation for it. See all y'all at this Sunday's Beaches Lions Easter Parade. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Tuesday March 30, 2010. BANK OF MONTREAL-WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY Here's a great deal-> Take your kids into the Bank of Montreal at 2072 Queen Street East at Queen and Hambly and bring their piggy bank. Use their free coin counting machine. Deposit the funds into a new BMO banking account for them and BMO will match your first deposit up to $25 and will donate it to Community Centre 55. You might also get a free piggy bank! Offer expires April 18, 2010. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Monday March 29, 2010. Last Saturday's Breakfast with the Easter Bunny was a real Pancakeapolooza! We were at capacity again this year.
Hmmmm well, we think it's the Easter Bunny?!
Our Chairman Jason Balgopal dishing up some grub for the "Bun". Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). My time here is near the end. I will miss all of this! Tuesday March 23, 2010. March Break at Centre 55 was a hot one!
Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Monday March 22, 2010. Well, the calls have been coming in all weekend. A massive amount of graffiti vandalism is being reported. Our Graffiti Removal Program ( GRIP) doesn't begin until July. In the meantime, victims should do their best to remove the vandalism from their respective properties immediately. Call us for removal details and products-416.691.1113. If we catch a graffiti vandal, we will insist on criminal charges, we will follow the offender through the process. We shall request that the courts send the offender back to our community to participate in graffiti vandalism clean-up and we shall pursue the offender and/or the parent for damages. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Monday March 8, 2010. Nice to see they are finally taking responsibility. So who will peel off the Teflon coating and reseal the box? Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring).
Monday March 1, 2010. Here is what we call a Triple Whammy. The Canada Post Box featured below has a message to us, that we think is a statement of hate. Hate crime is illegal. Canada Post will not clean their Post Boxes. We are not allowed to clean them. So, now what? Do you know where your children are? Are they carrying Sharpie markers or spray paint? Have you checked their backpacks and their hands for paint and ink?
Monday March 1, 2010. Mmmmmm Breakfast! Terry Karabassis of The Mars Beach Diner, at 1987 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON, M4L 1J1, 416-690-6906, is holding his second annual Charity Breakfast for us on Monday March 29th to Wednesday March 31st from 8:00am to 3:00pm. $2.50 will get you two eggs any style, home fries, a choice of bacon or sausage, and brown or white toast. See ya there! Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Monday February 1, 2010. Yes, we did have viruses on our web site. Someone, sitting at a computer at 3pm, from parts unknown, sporting their underpants and greasy stomach bulging muscle shirt, sipping a beer,clicking a cheezie stained keyboard with their little hot dog fingers managed to propagate a virus causing us, and thousands of others, to be unable to conduct the honest work of our charity. Meanwhile, I received 14,000 return emails in 25 minutes and I am still getting them. Apparently I am selling viagara and/or I am a Russian and/or a Nigerian trillionaire who will transfer my fortune to you, if you would just please tell me where your bank is, your account number and PIN's. Seems someone hacked our email too. They make their mothers proud eh! Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Tuesday January 26, 2010.
The youngest Philosophaie Doctor of Christmas ever presented in our 500 year history of the University of the Northern Lights-Hamper's Christmas Academy! "Youngster is honoured for his volunteer work at CC55. Sam Kinsella holds his 'Philosophaie Doctor of Christmas' degree. The degree is one of many that recognize the hard work and dedication of those who volunteered their time with Community Centre 55's annual Share-A-Christmas campaign. With Sam are his dad, Warren, and eight-year-old brother, Jacob. Staff photo/BRAD PRITCHARD" Beach Riverdale Mirror. Friday January 22, 2010. $10,000 +. That's right. $10,000+! That is the amount Shorecan Brokers Limited raised yesterday for our charity. To put it in perspective, that amount of money would provide: 400 Christmas Turkeys; or 66 summer day camp subsidies to get kids off the smoldering summer tar and dusty city concrete and onto the fresh grass at a conservation area; or into the pools at Wild Water Kingdom, or on the Roller Coasters at Canada's Wonderland, or help develop about 100 youth leaders among our at risk youth, and the possibilities continue. What a fantastic event Shorecan produced. Peter Conroy and his colleagues are fabulous corporate citizens and as always, are pledge to them is, 100% of the money raised will get to those who need it most. We are deeply appreciative. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Thursday January 21, 2010. This is a very exciting day for us, thanks to Peter Conroy and the fine folks at Shorecan Brokers Limited. Community Centre 55 is, once again, a target of their affection. We had refreshments and conversation with the principles at the Toronto Stock Exchange, helped to open the market and then witness the dollar tsunami come rolling in. A glamorous and humbling and complimentary experience and we are deeply honoured and privileged for the experience and to be a recipient of their benevolence. Our pledge is, as always, to make sure all of the proceeds get to the people who need them. Thanks Peter and Robin et al. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Wednesday January 20, 2010. Here is a bit of a preview for next year and it will prove to be really really cool! Join 55's Polar Bear Club and Pay/Pledge and Plunge into our annual New Year's Day Dip and Swim. We will assemble on the Boardwalk at a specific location to be announced later. Plunge and swim time is 1:00pm sharp. Please arrive early.
Bring warm clothes, water shoes or sneakers, towels and your camera, costumes are fun too. We will have changing facilities on or near the Boardwalk. More details later. Bob Murdoch, Executive Director. 1980-2010 (retiring). Thursday January 7, 2010. Herewith is a testimony of the power of the Christmas Spirit. The following is a narrative about the experience gained by a group of people, who participated as an adopter in our Share A Christmas Adopt A Family program. Names and addresses have been removed to protect peoples privacy: "Hey Everyone!! I just wanted to send an email to update all of you on what an INCREDIBLE difference you have made to one small family's Christmas. With your help we were able to raise $595 PLUS various in-kind donations!!! That meant we were able to give the C.J. and her family a truly awesome Christmas and for that we are extremely grateful. C. J, 39 is the single mother to D. (11 years) and D. (9 years) - they live on _________ in a little apartment above a store. This week, a day before we did our drop off, the furnace in her apartment broke meaning no heat for the holidays - her landlord refused to fix it before Christmas so she had to move herself and her two boys into her mother's apartment down the street. So that is where we did our drop off - C.J. was unfortunately unable to be there because she was granted a last minute appointment with a respirologist at St. Mike's Hospital downtown an hour or two before our drop off - she has smoked most of her life and now suffers badly from COPD and Asthma. So her mother M. J. welcomed us, and we piled all of our boxes of food and gifts into her cramped little one-bedroom apartment - I think she was a little overwhelmed!! Luckily C.J. had taken D and D with her to her appointment, because there was NO way we could have hid their gifts from them otherwise! Their big ticket items were Nerf toys - they are huge!!! Before I left M. J. presented me with a gift - it was labelled 'To Santa, love D. and D.' - inside was an adorable card to me from the boys, as well as a gorgeous tea set! Absolutely unnecessary but very appreciated! I will now have something to remind me of them, as I definitely love drinking my herbal tea! With your help we were able to buy C. ALL the trimmings for Christmas dinner as well as lots more non-perishable and staple items that will last her well into the winter. Additionally we were able to buy some great gifts for the boys, including board games they could play as a family which was very important to C. To top things off, we also bought C. a few things because afterall, adults deserve a gifts from Santa as well!! Later that night, C. arrived back at her Mom's house to find all of the boxes we had dropped off - she called and left me the most beautiful message in which she was literally speechless - both M. and I got quite teary listening to it (-: So again, thank you!! A special thank you to the Contardi's who not only donated some great in-kind items that contributed to the grocery list, but also adopted a family of their very own!! Awesome! Happy Holidays everyone, you have helped make mine one of the best ever! I will be doing this again next year, and will aim to adopt two families in 2010! Thanks again and lots of love, J. xxo" Bob Murdoch |
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