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Local places of worship go greener with seed money by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Thursday, August 25, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A local group is the recipients of a one-year, $45,000 seed grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The announcement was recently made during the Greening Sacred Spaces (GSS) Halton Peel chapter's annual Green Awards Night and Networking event, held at the Church of the Incarnation and in recognition of faith communities working together. GSS is a program of the Halton Environmental Network (HEN). "I am pleased the Halton Environmental Network received this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for its Greening Sacred Spaces gardening program," stated Ontario Labour Minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. "This is a wonderful initiative that brings together faith communities with the joint purpose of encouraging a healthy and sustainable environment and helping us to understand our impact on our environment," he continued. "I was pleased to be part of this very memorable event and I offer my sincere congratulations to everyone involved in this program on receiving this grant." The cash allows GSS to create a network that helps faith groups explore spaces around their buildings and create gardens. By engaging faith-based communities through From left, Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, Ramsha Ahmed (Greening Sacred Spaces co-ordinator), Lisa Seiler (Halton Environmental Network) and Lucy Cummings (of Faith and the Common Good) pose for a photo. | submitted photo a series of workshops, tours and presentations, the GSS Halton Peel Chapter says it hopes to create a strong network working towards creating gardens and connecting to nature. "This network of faith communities will allow these communities to learn from one another, approach each another for ideas and allow interfaith discussions, growth and appreciation of diversity," stated in a media release. The Green Awards Night and Networking Event also featured Terrylynn Brant who spoke on the `Spirit in Gardening'. Brant is a member of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from Six Nations and shared her learned skills from a long line of traditional knowledge holders. "She inspired the audience to connect with their inner gardener and their spirit," stated the release. The evening ended with an awards presentation. Unitarian Congregation Church and Applewood United Church, both in Mississauga, were this year's two award winners. Honourable mention went to St. Simon's Anglican Church and Church of the Incarnation in Oakville. GSS Halton Peel's interfaith workshops, garden tours and community events open to public and members of the community of different backgrounds, religions, races and cultures. Another event, held in July, called `Beyond the Garden Gates,' included a tour of the gardens of three downtown Oakville churches and presentation by Credit Valley Conservation on best native plants for the yard. For more information on the program, visit greeningsacredspaces.net. Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org Bhandari Family Dentistry returns to Oakville Bring in yOur Family FOr a CheCk-uP at Our new mODern CliniC Dr. Bhandari is an advocate of oral health with 31 years of experience. He and his team pride themselves for their professional and comprehensive approach to dentistry. Dr. Bhandari has proudly worked with a number of celebrities throughout his career, helping them maintain their red carpet worthy smiles! Customer care is our core concern. Whether you're looking for general maintenance, regular check-up treatments or cosmetic dentistry, we can help. Give Dr. Bhandari a call to book your appointment or consultation. Dr. BhanDari welcomes Jody Johnson, his new hygienist. With many years of experience, Jody looks forward to treating her former and new patients. Dr. Vineet BhanDari BSc DIH DDS 905.825.5110 Monday to Friday 7:30 - 5:00. Evening and Saturday appointments available. Palermo Professional Centre 2525 Old Bronte Rd., Suite 470 Oakville (at Dundas Street) · www.bhandaridental.com