On The Road In Whitchurch–Stouffville is the Monthly Journal of the Towntownofws.ca/otr

SPECIAL EDITIONThe Hidden Businesses of Vivian

O T RFebruary 2019

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Sponsorship

February 2019 townofws.ca/otr

From the EditorIn January’s OTR it was an absolute pleasure

to meet and interview CEO Craig McLaren of Wolf Advanced Technology. Also, Girl’s Got Fitness and Beacon Hill Physiotherapy were great finds.

The theme of finding new and ‘hidden’ business gems continues for February’s OTR. First, the King of Wings has recently opened in Downtown Stouffville. Then, we travel up to Vivian for a dedicated 6-page feature on three very cool and entrepreneurial businesses.

We visit Redefined Finds who, apparently, are defined by change as the business gets a make-over in time for its 3rd year anniversary. Finally, a new family medical clinic is opening on Mostar Street in March; we provide the scoop. David Tuley, Editor | ecdev@townofws.ca

O T RNAVIGATE | VivianWe found three interesting businesses in the Vivian area. Two of these are new: Thrive4Life Holistic Pet Food and Yoga Yurt. The Teardrop Trailer has been around for a while, but most people aren’t aware of its existence.

IN FOCUS | A Flexible Business ModelRedefined Finds in Downtown Stouffville closed their doors for a month to com-pletely renovate the interior of the store. With Alison Jackson at the helm, we are in for a ride. R.F. is a great example of a flexible business model in action.

BUSINESS | Great North Medical CentreIn this month’s BUSINESS we meet Dr. Varathan Muthulingam and Sue Bala of Great North Medical Centre, a new family medical clinic that is opening at 155 Mostar Street in Stouffville.

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Community News

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Sue Bala is the manager of a new family medical clinic in Soutffville.See BUSINESS Pg.12

The STOP on the Road program deliv-ers research-based, cost-free smoking cessation workshops in local com-munities each month. Upcoming workshop: Monday March 4, 2019 6 to 9 p.m. in Whitchurch-Stouffville. CONTACT: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 73052 or visit www.york.ca/tobacco

3NEED TO KNOW

The King of Wings will be opening in Downtown Stouffville sometime in February. The new restaurant is filling the space left vacant at 6244 Main Street, formerly Adore II. Operating the

restaurant is Shankar Rasanayagam, Jamuna Bala, and Saru Gaureeson. Shankar and Jamuna are cousins, both are the aunt-uncle of Saru. Jamuna lives in Stouffville, Shankar just south of the Stouffville border, and Saru in Scarborough.

The family is originally from Sri Lanka, immigrating to Canada beginning in 1985; Saru was born in Toronto. Saru named the restaurant. “We were already in the wing business, and I thought the word ‘King’ had a little kick to it,” said Saru.

They will carry over 123 wing sauces, several beer taps and have 10 television screens, with many sports channels being available. “My favourite item is Devil’s Ranch Wings, Shankar’s favourite is the Mexican Fries, and Jamuna’s is the veggie wrap,” said Saru. There are kids’ meals as well.

King of WingsNew in Downtown Stouffville

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InfoThrive4Life Holistic Pet Food905-473-540116572 York Durham Line thrive4lifepetfood.com

InfoYoga Yurt416-799-354816680 York Durham Line www.yogayurt.ca

InfoThe Teardrop Trailer905-830-1293fun@theteardroptrailer.com theteardroptrailer.com

The Hidden Businesses of Vivian

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Thrive4Life Holistic Pet Food is a new destination in Whitchurch-Stouffville that sells premium pet foods and unique lifestyle products to help enhance the quality of life for both dogs and cats. Lucy Jabrayan opened Thrive4Life last August. The detached store sits in front of a country house on a lovely, partially forested 25-acre farm, just north and west of where Durham Road 8 intersects with York Durham Line. Thrive4Life is open Tuesday-Saturday.

Thrive4Life is the intermingling of Lucy’s passions in life - a love and caring for animals, and a holistic lifestyle. Lucy has been in the health and nutraceutical industry for over a decade, with an educational back-ground in holistic and sports nutrition, exercise physiology, a BSc degree in Psychology, and a certification as an equine massage therapist.

On the farm, you may see dogs and cats, chickens and goats, a pet Parakeet, and two horses. Lucy has been an avid rider since she was 9 years old. Lucy considers herself a curator of the best pet food the indus-try has to offer. “I want to take the guess work out of selecting the best for your pets,” says Lucy. “Our motto is ‘Why wait for something to break before fixing it’, as we believe in taking a proactive approach to health since so many diseases have become such an epidemic. Statistics show that there is a significant increase in disease and illnesses that are affect-ing our beloved pets over the past few decades.”

Thrive4Life specializes in high quality raw pet food (hormone and antibiotic free), unique and natural lifestyle products, natural treats, kibble toppers, and farm fresh goods. Lucy carries raw food in many

forms, including freeze-dried and dehydrated that have the convenience of kibble but the nutrition of raw.

Whether it be in the form of freeze-dried or dehydrated, you can be assured that “it is quality through and through” says Lucy. Like any diet, human or otherwise, the raw diet is somewhat controversial. There are volumes online about the issue that passionately support both sides of the argument; one side speaking to risk, the other side about vigor and healing. You have to decide whether raw pet food is a path for you.

At the very least, stop in and consult with Lucy. She is approachable and is happy to talk about pets.

One thing I learned (Editor), is that Thirve4Life, the local box pet store, and your veterinarian all have a different opinion of what’s best for you and your pet. Perhaps the only thing they would all agree upon is not to feed your pet the crappiest food, often made by well-known name brands: big marketing doesn’t always translate into nutrition. Lucy offers a voice and she is pleasant to visit with.

InfoThrive4Life Holistic Pet Food905-473-540116572 York Durham Line thrive4lifepetfood.com

[below] Lucy and her Sheppard in the Thrive4Life storeille

Thrive4Life

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Recently I (Editor) was driving up York-Durham Line when I noticed an earthy-orange and white ground sign that I hadn’t seen before. It read “Yoga Yurt”. Yoga what? I back-tracked and read it again. Yep, Yoga Yurt. Later I found a website too. I reached out and made contact with Hannah McNamara, the owner, creator, Yoga instructor and Thai mas-sage therapist.

I met with Hannah and her child at the yurt the following week. It was bitter cold. I trod through the snow to the backyard and into the foyer of the yurt. After removing my shoes and entering, I found that it was cozy warm in there. Hannah installs a small wood burning stove in middle of the Yurt every winter. Below is the raw content from the interview; DT-Dave Tuley (editor), HM-Hannah McNamara (Yoga Yurt).

DT: Not to ask the most obvious question, but why yoga in a yurt? Have you experienced this before? HM: I experienced a Yurt in Hawaii and fell completely in love. There’s something so healing about being in a circle and I knew I had to share it. A cozy, warm, womb like connection to the natural world. The Yurt is made using natural products, hand crafted by a Mongolian Family on a principle of fair trade. Yurts are sustainable leaving no footprint. We have also hand built an eco outhouse/change room made from reclaimed wood on the farm for the Yoga Yurt community. We have natural sunlight that pours in from our beautiful skylight in the summer months, and a rustic, crackling wood-stove to keep us warm throughout the winter.

DT: How does the experience of yoga in a yurt differ from yoga in a gym?HM: You will be greeted by horses on the farm, we have natural veg-gie gardens, and a big, beautiful willow tree. We are very community focused, with small, intimate classes. Instead of being in a gym setting, we offer a unique sacred space, spiritual energy with an earthy feel. The smell, the sound, the hand painted reclaimed wood, everything about the Yurt makes it an experience, a place where the mind, body and soul become one.

DT: What is the most fantastic or magical experience that you have had in the yurt? HM: Well, that’s a very hard question, they are all so magical. There are too many magical moments to just pick one. From our 1st opening summer solstice full moon ceremony, to the unique wisdom filled Yoga classes that the teachers pour their hearts and souls into, and all of our new moon and full moon sacred yoga circles, there’s just so much magic that happens in the Yurt.

DT: How did you find an authentic Yurt from Mongolia?HM: I would like to say the universe helped bring the Yurt to our growing community. My best friend Karolina and I were dreaming and creating, looking into getting a Yurt, but didn’t have the funds to purchase a new one. A family friend of Karolina (without knowing our dream) just so hap-pened to reach out to her, asking if she wanted their authentic Mongolian Yurt since they no longer needed it! We were so blessed with this magical Yurt, we had to share it with our beautiful community.

Yoga Yurt

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DT: Why did you build it in Whitchurch-Stouffville?HM: I was born and raised in a little community called Lemonville, a small part of Stouffville. I moved to Toronto for about 10 years and did lots of travelling. Thailand, Australia, Hawaii to name a few, where I took many different teacher trainings. When I got back to Canada, I met my partner Jack who grew up in Markham, and we got pregnant with our beautiful daughter Willow. We wanted to raise Willow in a small com-munity with a country feel with like-mind souls and that’s what brought us back home, where our best friends; Karolina, Mikey, and Monty, gra-ciously allowed us to plant our Yoga Yurt seed on their beautiful property.

DT: You have curated a ‘tribe’ of instructors with individual specialties. Are these standard roles within a yoga clinic, or have you consciously curated a certain vibe/objective? HM: Lucy Knight, Naty Howard, Jennifer To, Bianca Azgin, Sara Kyriakopoulos, Jennifer Gleitman and growing. Whoever is meant to teach in our Sacred space, will find a way here. I did not consciously select the different teachers based on certain guidelines or talents. The universe has a way of connecting loving, compassionate spiritual energy, and the Yurt is no exception. Yoga Yurt is a Sacred space where beings can share their gifts and light on the community and universe. I am so grateful to everyone who has shared their energy with Yoga Yurt. We have a saying at the Yurt; “be the energy you want to attract.” This goes for students and teachers alike, who make our tribe what it is today, and this is just the beginning. Certain energies just vibe, and that’s how we find our tribe.

DT: You said that the birth of your 14 month old daughter, Willow, gave you the courage to launch Yoga Yurt. Were you being totally practical - a chance to provide child care and devote time to Willow, or is there something more?HM: Before Willow was even a thought, my dream was always to create a Yoga studio, but not just any Yoga studio, something unique and con-nected with nature. I struggled for many years, finding the courage and confidence to teach what I love and believe in, and to speak my truth. Moving from studio to studio, I found it wasn’t connecting with my heart and my true self. Going through pregnancy and giving birth to Willow,

opened up a realization and spark within my soul, to live my dream and make it happen for me and my family.I couldn’t have done it without my friends, family, and community. They push me everyday and encourage me to speak my truth, and of course my beautiful daughter Willow for being there every step of the way. From creating vision boards while she was in my belly, to being at every Yoga class and spreading her love and light on to our growing community. I believe THAT is the true magic behind Yoga Yurt. DT: On average, how many classes do you offer a week in winter? In Summer? HM: Since we’ve only been open since June 2017, it’s been an ongoing learning experience to find out what works best for our tribe. Winter months we’ve been offering 8-9 public Yoga classes each week, morn-ings, evenings and weekends. In summer months we will be adding more classes as our community grows. We believe Yoga is for every-body and Yoga is beneficial for anyone and everyone. You do not need to be flexible or have any experience! We have maybe different styles of Yoga classes: Gentle Yoga with Mindfulness Meditation, Happy Heart Hatha, Restorative Yoga with Thai massage, Restorative Yoga with Reiki, Yin Yang Yoga, Ashtanga/Vinyasa, Candlelight Yin, Mom and baby and kids/teens Yoga. We also offer private Yoga classes for individuals, or groups which has become some of my most memorable experiences. Birthday parties, anniversary’s, celebrations of any kind, and a more personalized private class with family and friends. It’s also a great way for new Yogis to try Yoga if they’re not comfortable in a public setting.

I also offer authentic Thai massage healing sessions in the yurt that cater to the specific needs of the individual. And how can I forget about our magical workshops! Our very popular, New moon and Full moon sacred Yoga circles, guided by the super talented Naty Howard has become a tribe favourite. We have many more workshop ideas brewing as we speak. I also plan on offering a monthly woman’s Goddess circle in the spring, so stay tuned for more details.

DT: In your current mindset, as if the world were static and money was no object, how might Yoga Yurt look - as a business - five years from now? What direction might the business take?HM: I think of Yoga Yurt as a seed that has been planted, and all the beau-tiful energy is helping it grow, grow, grow. I hope to own my own property surrounded by trees, large gardens, rescued animals, a natural swim-ming pond, a big beautiful fire pit for drumming circles and ceremonies, barns, a chicken coop, an outdoor seasonal kitchen with harvest tables so we can gather and enjoy our bounty, and of course The Mother Yurt.A place where our tribe can come and share their gifts and offerings with the community so we can create a magical sanctuary, to grow, love, learn, and be at peace together, and shine our love and light on the world. A place for my family, and many others to be and live their truth in har-mony.

InfoYoga Yurt416-799-354816680 York Durham Line www.yogayurt.ca

SpecialMention this Article and receive $10 off our 5 class pass, or $20 off our 10 class pass

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The notion of Teardrop trailers dips deep into North American nos-talgia. Teardrops originated in the 1930s and became extremely popular in the 1940s. The average family acquired their first car by the 1920s; however, unbeknownst to them, they’d have to keep it through the Great Depression. And then, during World War II, automobile production ceased altogether. Many a family car was leftover, producing a lethargic 25-50 horsepower (the 2018 Honda Civic has 158 h.p.).

For those that could take a vacation during those lean years, the Teardrop trailer was an enabler: light weight enough to be pulled behind an almost powerless vehicle, and affordable - the dealer cost in 1946 was $500.

The company that capitalized on the Teardrop design was Kit Manufacturing Co. It was sold as a kit, with its components assembled by buyers. The company’s initial model, the Kit Kamper, made its debut in 1946 at a trade show in Hollywood. Because of a shortage of materi-als so soon after the end of World War II, the 12 show models had an unusual exterior combination of war-surplus aluminum, re-used jeep tires and fiberglass fenders. Inside, the trailer had all the comforts of home, including an innerspring mattress and an all-aluminum kitchen with butane stove and icebox. The response exceeded all expectations, with nearly 500 orders booked. About 3,500 Kit Kampers were produced and delivered by the end of the year.

In January 1947, Kit moved to a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the harbour area of Long Beach. Production had jumped from the original two per week to 120, and sales had climbed from $1,000 to $50,000 weekly. In 1948 Kit went into production of a larger 8’x14’ coach trailer, with demand far exceeding production capability. Now that the average family owned a powerful new car, capable of pulling large trail-ers, the Kit Kamper Teardrop assembly line was dropped.

Flashforward to today. The large pull behind campers still exist, though the requirement of purchasing a 200+ horsepower, fuel guzzling truck to pull it is prohibitive. Smaller fuel conscious cars are becoming the norm. As for the Teardrop trailer – it’s back in vogue. To customize one to pull behind your Subaru or Prius, you only need to drive to Vivian in Whitchurch-Stouffville to Steve and Mandy Hoddinott’s The Teardrop Trailer.

Oddly enough, Kijiji has steered Steve and Mandy’s course in busi-ness and to Whitchurch-Stouffville. In the first place, Steve was think-ing about starting a hot dog cart business. He searched Kijiji for a cart, but rather came across a Teardrop trailer. He was astonished, and then decided he wanted one – but it was too expensive. Being campers, he and Mandy saw the utility of the Teardrop and built one from scratch in 2013. “You drive, you eat, you sleep, you go. There’s no set up, no anything, just enjoying the outdoors,” said Steve.

Meanwhile, Steve had been laid off as a commercial transmission mechanic manager in Rexdale. They decided to sell their Teardrop to make ends meet. They eventually built another one but sold it too. And then another one. “We were getting orders faster than we could build,” said Steve. The Hoddinotts had a business concept and a name – The Teardrop Trailer – but their Newmarket home was not ideal for the grow-ing business. A backyard tent provided cover for manufacture, while the living room had been converted into a spare parts department.

The Teardrop Trailer Steve searched Kijiji again. This time he found a large shop and home

in Vivian. The Teardrop Trailer moved to Whitchurch-Stouffville. Overtime, they have built and sold more than 300 trailers, with average production being about 10 a month these days. Production is currently booked until June 2019, including orders for British Columbia, Yukon, California, Texas, and South Dakota.

I (the editor) was surprised when I found The Teardrop Trailer on Google Earth at Vivian Rd. & Highway 48. I emailed Steve and Mandy to say – “Are you really in Vivian?” Steve emailed back with a photo attached of himself sitting in a thermal pool: “No”, he said, “we are in Iceland.” I emailed him after Christmas with the same question – “No, we are in St. Lucia.” As it turns out, Steve and Mandy just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in two places – one warm and one cold. Steve is a romantic. They originally married at the Newmarket courthouse, “with pennies,” says Steve. He was determined to celebrate this milestone properly. He wrote a song for Mandy, got someone to train him to sing it and crafted it into a music video.

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The popularity of The Teardrop Trailer is the full customization, whether it be the con-figuration of the kitchen galley in the rear, solar panels on the roof or special shelving in the bedroom – not to mention the rims, outer skin or option for a pet-friendly bunk bed. Every trailer is based on either a 4’x8’ or 5’x8’ trailer frame (the 5x8 can hold a queen size bed). “Our customers push us to innovate. They send pho-tos and make requests,” says Steve. Right now, they are making the first Teardrop that will have a tent on top to accommodate a family of three in Stouffville.

Steve and Mandy have a simple business model, being self-sufficient by continuously reinvesting into the business – they collect 50% deposit upon order, which is used to purchase parts in bulk. “We keep the prices down to keep the competitors and DIYers at bay,” says Mandy.

Steve concludes with a reflection: “I grew up on the north side of Preston Lake. When the bus dropped me off to go home, I had to walk in from Woodbine all the way to Hilltop Blvd. I would walk past a trailer park filled with var-ious sized camper trailers, facing the lake. It was a huge campsite community. I would walk by that trailer park my entire public-school years, often wondering what they would look like inside. My very first sale happened to be to a girl by the name of Anne, who lived on the south side of Preston Lake. I would have to say one of my strongest influences into this profes-sion was walking by that trailer park every day and growing up at Preston Lake.”

For more information, visit www.thetear-droptrailer.com. Videos, testimonials and hundreds of photographs have been uploaded to the site. One can watch their trailer being assembled online. “Transparency is very important to us,” stated Mandy.

InfoThe Teardrop Trailer905-830-1293fun@theteardroptrailer.com theteardroptrailer.com

Redefined Finds is Definable by ChangeEmbracing a Flexible Business Model is their Key to Success

10 IN FOCUS

[above] Alison Jackson, owner of Redefined Finds, in the midst of redefining her shop in Downtown Stouffville

lison Jackson opened Redefined Finds in February 2016. The business developed into one of Downtown Stouffville’s gems – - and a genuine draw. However, Alison closed their doors in

mid-January. Not permanently, thank goodness, but to up-their-game. The store is under renovation until mid-February.

“Originally, we started as a shop that sold painted furniture that we had purchased used and ‘Redefined’. I had been doing that out of my home and two antique malls for the couple of years before that, so it was time for my own shop,” said Alison.

“We also sold the Fusion Mineral Paint line and ran a few workshops on how to paint your furniture and give it new life. We had a few other products in store like hardware and some of my friends’ art on the wall. Over that first year we started to add more gift products as well as some products from local artisans,” said Alison. Redefined Finds was in the early stages of evolving, with customer-demand leading the way.

“Our customers seemed to be looking for the furniture plus a space to buy gifts and home decor. This is when we really started to notice a change and the workshops were really catching on, we knew we need-ed to grow this side of the business as much as possible. The desire for people to Do-It-Yourself became apparent,” she added. Alison was cogni-zant of her financials and space utilization – it was backwards: the most popular space was squeezed, such as the workshop space, while less frequented – the large retail space – wasn’t carrying its own weight. The third anniversary for Redefined Finds is definable by change.

Googling the term ‘flexible business model’ will return upwards of 74 million results. It is all the hype, and – all the advice. According to CNBC: “Businesses that are agile and can adapt quickly to market conditions are well positioned for success in a rapidly evolving landscape. A flexible business model helps you take advantage of today’s fast-paced world.” (16 May 2014). The Daily News (of Ceylon) stated: “For those companies that don’t embrace flexibility, changes in the business environment can mean significant setbacks. For those who actually resist change, they can spell disaster. When it comes right down to it, flexibility within a company is an attitude – a culture.” (29 Nov 2017).

Alison has been hosting approximately 20-24 workshops per month and attracts all age ranges attending. “We get people who want to learn new skills, and once they start painting their own furniture they are hooked,” she said. She reports that they also get people who want to enjoy a social afternoon or evening out with friends or family and do a project-based class by either herself or one of their guest teachers. The variety of workshops that they host now goes well beyond painting, “So we attract, mothers and daughters, friend groups, work parties, family gatherings and everything in between.”

Multi-faceted marketing has been a key to Redefined Find’s success. Alison is clearly visible on social media promoting their workshops on Instagram and Facebook, and through their website as well. They also rely on traditional means, such as word of mouth.

The store will be getting a complete facelift, including a newly reno-vated bathroom and front desk area. Being installed are shiplap walls, sliding barn doors, and enhanced lighting. “The biggest thing we have done,” says Alison, “is to move the workshop into the front right of the store so that we can double our workshop space and bring more people in to have creative fun.”

There will also be activity in the shop. While a workshop is going on, Redefined may be working on creating their own store products, or

refinishing furniture for customers. The other half of the front will be reserved for retail, where there will be a focus on gift items from local artists and a select product line that they love, plus home decor and fur-niture available for purchase.

If you ask Alison what she is most excited about: “I am most excited about creating a social hub for the downtown core where people can come, be social and create at the same time. We will have DIY Thursday, which is a full day and evening that is open to drop in and pick an item that we have or bring an item in and paint it for your home. This is going to be such a fabulous addition, because now there will be a place to drop in anytime during the day, after work or after school, that you can spend one hour or a few, and go home with something unique.”

Alison says that the renovated store will have a true farmhouse chic look that will inspire everyone who walks in. Redefined Finds’ grand re-opening will be Thursday, February 21, from 6-8pm, everyone is invited.

InfoRedefined Finds905-591-76486258 Main Street redefinedfinds.ca

Grand Re-OpeningFebruary 21, 20196:00-8:00pmAll Invited

11IN FOCUS

Build Like a Girl Canada Workshops• March 10, “House Number Sign/Planter”• March 24, “Rustic V Console or Hall Table”• April 7, “Blanket Ladder”March Workshops • March 2, “Cake Pop”• March 2, “Gem & Aroma Therapy Bracelets”• March 9, “Dirty Pour” (sold out)• March 13, “Dirty Pour”• March 14, “Furniture Painting”• March 23, “Paint Your Own Piece”• March 24, “Rustic Hall Table/Console”• March 26, “Furniture Staging/Presentation”• March 28, “Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing”• March 30, “String Art”• March 30, “Spring Wreath”March Break Kids’ Workshops• March 12, “String Art”• March 13, “Gem & Aroma Therapy Bracelet”• March 14, “Pillow Party”• March 15, “Cookie Decorating”April Workshops • April 6, “Farmhouse Clock”• April 6, “Sting Art”• April 9, “Dirty Pour”• April 11, “Family Name Tray”• April 23, “Live Edge Sign”• April 27, “String Art”

REDEFINED FINDS PRESENTS:

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12 BUSINESS

Great North Medical CentreA New Family Medical Clinic comes to Stouffville

We met Sue Bala in the foyer of Markham-Stouffville Hospital (MSH). She is smart, young and confident. She has agreed to meet and introduce us to Dr. Varathan Muthulingam, the Medical Director/Owner of a new fam-ily medical clinic that is opening in Stouffville. It is named Great North Medical Centre; Sue will manage it.

Sue tells us that Dr. Muthulingam was born in Sri Lanka. His family moved to Canada in the 1980s. He was raised in Scarborough and obtained a degree in biology a the University of Toronto. Later, Dr. Muthulingam stud-ied medicine at American University of the Caribbean, a US-modeled Doctor of Medicine Program. He completed residency in internal medicine at University of Chicago, then moved to south Illinois to be with his wife who was doing a residency in family medicine. Finally, he moved to Buffalo, NY and worked at University of Buffalo while wait-ing for a license to practice medicine in Ontario.

Dr. Muthulingam has privileges at MSH, Sunnybrook, Centenary Hospital and Southlake Regional. Great North Medical Centre will have five examination rooms and two doctor’s offices. Their plan is to create a one-stop shop: blood lab, pharmacy, and another specialty, possibly a psychiatrist. The clinic will start with three family doc-tors, including one female doctor, plus Dr. Muthulingam for internal medicine.

Dr. Muthuligam arrives a few minutes late. He has prom-ised not to rush patient consultations, although on this fro-zen and snowy day in Markham, he’s acquired several more unexpected consults for the afternoon; our meet-up and photoshoot must be brief. Dr. Muthulingam is immediately welcoming and appreciative of the attention. We exchange greetings, gripe about the weather, and snap a great photo, leaving him to return to business.

Sue’s family immigrated to Canada when she was nine years old. Sue studied psychology and environmental sci-ences in university. She found a job in an endoscopy clinic in 2007 and quickly worked her way into management. Sue is raising a 4.5-year-old daughter and an 18-month - old son in Newmarket. She helped narrow down their search to Stouffville. “There’s really no need for more clinics in 416,” she said, “I researched Newmarket and Aurora, but found that the real need was in Stouffville.” Given their country of origin, I asked if the large South Asian community in Stouffville was a driver in where to locate the clinic. Sue said, “It is a bonus, but not the motivator – all of Stouffville needs more doctors. This is a good place for us to be.”

Dr. Muthulingam’s brother is the ‘business’ person in the family. He is a seafood importer in the U.S. and Canada. Like

InfoGreat North Medical Centre905-591-4662155 Mostar St, #3 & 4www.greatnorthmc.ca

13BUSINESS

a lot of Sri Lankans with multi-syllable names, his broth-er has shortened his name for casual use to Vijay Muthu. Vijay’s expertise came into play, he narrowed Sue’s research to a new industrial condo/office building on the south side of Longo’s, at 155 Mostar Street. Vijay supervised the archi-tects and building permit process, and contact with Town Hall.

When asked about the vision, Sue says, “This clinic will emphasize service. Service is important. My experience has led me to walk in to my doctor’s office with an appointment – sometimes I get in on schedule but most of the time it involves a long wait. I don’t want our patients to -have this experience. We want as many services to be under one roof, -no waiting, no travelling around. In the future, we will add more specialists – whatever it takes to make life easier.”

Great North Medical Centre is expected to open in early March. New Patients are welcome.

[photo] Dr. Muthulingam stands in the grand stairwell at the Markham Stouffville Hospital

Town Hall: 111 Sandiford Dr., Stouffville ON L4A 0Z8 Customer Service: (905) 640-1900 or (855) 642-TOWN (8696) townofws.ca

COMMUNITYNEWSFebruary 15 - March 14, 2019

THE TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE

Exhibit: A Stitch in TimeFebruary 5 - April 27

Created to demonstrate virtue, achievement and industry, samplers have an important place in early Canadian history. Enjoy examples of intricate hand stitched samplers from the Museum’s collection. Included with general admission.

Family Fun DayMonday, February 18

Visit the Museum between 12:00 – 4:0 p.m. to see what it was like to be a settler in York Region. Included with general admission.

In partnership with York Regional Forest, register for free snowshoe walks at the Hollidge Tract in York Regional Forest (16389 Hwy. 48). Walks at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Register online: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2YQ2VS5

March Break Camp: Around the WorldMarch 11 - 15: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Adventure awaits as we “travel” the world! Discover inventions and dream up your own. Crafts, games, and more! Cost: $170.00. Recommended ages: 5-12. Pre-registration required. Barcode: 5997

Savour Stouffville Workshop: The Art of MarmaladeSaturday, March 30: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Master preserver Camilla Wynne will share the storied history and creative modern-day recipes of marmalade. Sample different styles and flavours and learn safe canning practices and the science of preserving. Prepare two different marmalades using distinct methods and customizable flavours. You will take home a jar of each.

$50.00 per person. Only 12 spots available! Pre-registration is required. Barcode: 7109

Call 905-727-8954 for more information.Register with online at townofws.ca or in person at the Leisure Centre or Museum.

Museum News

Your municipal dog licence helps the Town facilitate the following:

• Issuing an identification tag for your pet• Help us reunite you and your dog quickly

when they are found. This reduces the stress a dog may experience from staying at a shelter for an extended period of time.

• When attending to your pet, licensing allows us to contact you in case of emergency so we can make vital decisions regarding the care of your pet.

• Licensed dogs receive a free ride home to reunite with their owners, should we or the public find a dog straying from their property wearing a tag.

PURCHASE Pay in person at the Customer Service or purchase and renew on our website at townofws.ca/dogtags (Visa and Mastercard only). Tags will be mailed to the address you specify in your registration.

FAILURE TO LICENCE Failure to license your dog, could result in a $365 fine.

Agendas for Council and Public meetings will be available for review at the Municipal Offices, Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library and on our website at 12 p.m. (noon) the Thursday prior to the meeting.

Upcoming Council Meetings:• Tues., February 19, 2019 - 3:00 p.m.• Tues., February 26, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.

(Budget Meeting)• Wed., February 27, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.

(Budget Meeting - if required)• Tues., March 5, 2019 - 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Public Meetings:• Tues., February 19, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. (if

required)

Council Meetings take place in the Council Chambers, 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, unless otherwise noted.

To listen to the Council meetings live, visit townofws.ca/cmlivestream. Also follow our Twitter account @ws_townhall for live updates during council meetings.

Join our Council E-Newsletter at: eepurl.com /cKPNg9

News, events and happenings around town with hosts Glenn Jackson and Cassandra Papas

What’s going on in Whitchurch-Stouffville?

New episode every Monday on:Facebook - SoundCloud - townofws.ca

PODCAST

Please keep three feet clearance around the perimeter of nearby fire hydrants to ensure that there is easy access in the event of an emergency.

Help clear a path from the hydrant to the street for firefighters to locate and access the hydrant in an efficient manner. For more information, call (905) 640-9595.

Become a Hydrant Hero!

Purchase Your Dog Tag

Notice of Council Meetings

COMMUNITYNEWSTHE TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE

Town Hall: 111 Sandiford Dr., Stouffville ON L4A 0Z8 Customer Service: (905) 640-1900 or (855) 642-TOWN (8696) townofws.ca

There is a 3-hour limit for on-street parking year-round. Winter Parking Restrictions take effect on December 1 and conclude March 31. There is no parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on neighbourhood streets.

Any vehicle without valid license plates parked on a street or in a Town parking lot, will be tagged and/or towed as an abandoned vehicle.

York Regional Police will receive information from Town By-law Officers when a vehicle is towed. During business hours, please contact our By-law Enforcement if you suspect your vehicle has been towed. After hours, please contact York Regional Police (non-emergencies only).

The Parking Permit Process

Residents that require parking for such things as driveway repairs and overnight guests, may obtain a free parking exemption from the Town. Residents may obtain up to 12 exemptions per year per license plate.

For longer parking needs you may purchase permits for facility parking lots that allow overnight parking.

On-street permits are not applicable during winter maintenance activities (i.e. snow flurries, snow clearing and sanding/salting operations). If a permit has been used during winter maintenance activities, the on-street permit becomes null and void. Any tickets issued will not be canceled.

Parking Reminders

February 15 - March 14, 2019

Library News

Chinese New Year: Button Making (all ages)Saturday, February 2, 10:30 am- 12:00 pmCelebrate the Year of the Pig by getting crafty and making an art pinback button. No experience necessary. Drop-in program.

Drumming Workshop (ages 3+)Saturday, February 9, 11:00 am – 11:45 am$5 per participant. Enjoy an afternoon of expressive arts with family and friends! Join Lynda Sarrasin of Rhythmic by Nature for a unique music-making experience. Register online: https://bit.ly/2FR02aI

Customer Appreciation DayThursday, February 14, 10:00 am – 8:30 pmWe love our customers! To thank Whitchurch-Stouffville’s wonderful library customers, come into the library during open hours on February 14 for a treat.

Teen Cupcake Wars (ages 13-18)Friday, February 15, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Are you up for the challenge? Two rounds with two different themes - guest judges in attendance. Winner takes home a prize! Sign up online to compete: http://bit.ly/2sHJXvy

Paint Night (ages 13+)Thursday, February 28; 6:15 – 8:00 p.m.$10 per participantGet creative with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library! Join us as we follow a YouTube tutorial and create our own artistic masterpieces. Classes are limited to 10 people. Register online: https://bit.ly/2HvErGH

55+ Centre Grand Opening!

Save Saturday March 23 on your calendar for the Grand Opening of the 55+ Centre - 6240 Main Street. The ceremony will take place between 1 and 5 p.m. with the official ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. There will be free demonstrations with active participation. The event is open to the everyone. Come see where your parents and grandparents hangout!

The complete schedule will be posted on our website at townofws.ca/55plus in the very near future.

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www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

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O T R

On the Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville tells the story of businesses, tourism and agriculture in Whitchurch-Stouffville. It is the official monthly journal of the Town, produced by the Economic Development Department. Circulation 18,000. Published since November 2016. Contact the editor David Tuley at ecdev@townofws.ca

O T R

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6179 Main St, Stouffville, ON, L4A 4H8 T: 905.591.5522•E: info@renewintegrativehealth.com

www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

Do you suffer from foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain? GET FITTED FOR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS BEFORE

THE YEAR END ... BOOK TODAY!

6179 Main St, Stouffville, ON, L4A 4H8 T: 905.591.5522•E: info@renewintegrativehealth.com

www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

Do you suffer from foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain? GET FITTED FOR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS BEFORE

THE YEAR END ... BOOK TODAY!

6179 Main St, Stouffville, ON, L4A 4H8 T: 905.591.5522•E: info@renewintegrativehealth.com

www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

Do you suffer from foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain? GET FITTED FOR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS BEFORE

THE YEAR END ... BOOK TODAY!

6179 Main St, Stouffville, ON, L4A 4H8 T: 905.591.5522•E: info@renewintegrativehealth.com

www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

Do you suffer from foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain? GET FITTED FOR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS BEFORE

THE YEAR END ... BOOK TODAY!

6179 Main St, Stouffville, ON, L4A 4H8 T: 905.591.5522•E: info@renewintegrativehealth.com

www.renewintegrativehealth.com

When we aren’t treating we’re tweeting. Follow us.

Renew your health with our specialized team offeringChiropractic care, Naturopathic medicine,

Registered massage therapy, Custom orthotics, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Psychology services.

Do you suffer from foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain? GET FITTED FOR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS BEFORE

THE YEAR END ... BOOK TODAY!

David Mills, bcg, and Renew Integrative Health answered a call for support and have graciously provided OTR with funding for 2019. They do not endorse or control the content within these pages.