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Thursday, February 4, 2016 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 7 Humidifiers www.BrooksHeatingAndAir.ca 905-877-3100 February Special 50 OFF$• Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handleall insurance work. We handle all insurance work. • your window & door professionals • 341 Guelph St., Unit 3 Georgetown 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca • awarded readers choice 26 times • Visit our showroom COMMENT Ross Pezzack sent in this photo he took dur- ing a walk near Spey- side as the temperature hovered around -10C. Have a photo you want to share? Email -- with details -- to cgamble@ theifp.ca. A WALK IN THE WINTER WOODS From our readers Halton welcomes everyone with open arms Halton is a place where we welcome, respect and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of all residents, while con- necting people to the services they need most. I'm proud of the work Hal- ton Region and our community part- ners undertake as we work together to make Halton a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community where newcomers can prosper. When newcomers choose Halton as their home, there are many tasks ahead of them and our community has many resources to help newcomers establish them- selves. Halton's Newcomer Portal (www.welcometohal- ton.ca) outlines resources for arriving, living, working and going to school in the region and is one of the most com- prehensive resources for new- comers to Halton. Other helpful newcomer supports can be found online at: • halton.ca/housing - provides a range of services including access to affordable market housing, subsidized housing, housing with supports, an emergency shelter program, as well as one-time financial assistance for low- income individuals and families expe- riencing difficulty with housing costs. • halton.ca/newdoctor - provides a listing of family physicians that are also new to Halton and currently accepting patients. • haltonjobs.ca - provides free programs and services to help people search for a job or train for a new career. • halton.ca/haltonparents - offers a variety of free parenting programs and parenting and health information from health professionals • halton.ca/childcaresubsidy - provides information on how to apply for childcare subsidy for eligible fami- lies. • halton.ca/immunization - pro- vides information about immuniza- tions needed for school attendance and the recommended immunization schedule in Ontario. • hmcconnections.com (formerly known as the Halton Multicultural Council) - provides a variety of services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada, including counselling and settlement information, help connect- ing with the community, employment supports, English language training and housing supports. While there are many services for newcomers to Halton, there are also op- portunities for current resi- dents to offer their support. The Halton Newcomer Strategy (hal- tonnewcomerstrategy.com) is an advo- cacy team that engages the community to empower newcomers to Halton and they're always looking for passionate volunteers to help create welcoming neighbourhoods. Halton Region also currently provides specific informa- tion for Syrian refugees on its website at halton.ca to help them make a safe and healthy transition into our community. By continuing to work together, our communities can greatly benefit from the talent, education, experience and commitment newcomers bring to the region. Newcomers make a difference in keeping Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. -- Gary Carr is the chair of Halton Region GARY CARR In 1898 McBean and Co. was located on the southwest corner of Main and Young (Mill) Sts. in Georgetown. On the corner now is the CIBC, while John McDermid's Star Grocery next door became Goodlets Hardware Store, and is now The Shep- herds Crook. Text courtesy of Heritage Halton Hills/Then photo courtesy of Esquesing Historical Society, Now photo courtesy of Amy Douglas, Heritage Halton Hills Then and Now