Their Excellencies visit this week: detailed itinerary

ABRIDGED NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE  SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL

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Governor General to take part in Sault Ste. Marie’s 100th Anniversary celebrations

OTTAWA - Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will be in Sault Ste. Marie on August 29 and 30, 2012, to celebrate the city’s centennial anniversary.

“Sharon and I are looking forward to returning to our hometown to celebrate this important milestone for a community we both hold close to our hearts,” His Excellency said. “This will be an opportunity for us to look back on the city’s history and on the time that we spent there. We will also have a glimpse at its future by meeting with community leaders from diverse sectors to discuss projects that will make Sault Ste. Marie an even smarter and more caring community.”

Their Excellencies' detailed itinerary:

Wednesday, August 29

9:45 a.m. - Official welcome and courtesy call with the Mayor

Their Excellencies will be greeted by city officials and will inspect a Quarter Guard of the 49th Field Artillery before meeting with Her Worship Debbie Amaroso, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie.

Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive

10:50 a.m. - Visit to the Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence

Their Excellencies will visit the Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence, which was built on the site of their former high school.

During the visit, they will meet with residents and view some memorabilia of their former high school on display in the residence.

Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence, 95 Fauquier Avenue

12:05 p.m. - Address to the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie and the Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie North

Their Excellencies will address Rotarians on the occasion of a special lunch to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their city.

They will talk about the importance of family and community and reflect on their personal experiences growing up in Sault Ste. Marie.

Algoma’s Water Tower Inn, 360 Great Northern Road

3:15 p.m. - 100th Anniversary Flower Garden Ceremony

Their Excellencies will be honoured guests at the 100th anniversary ceremony.

The Governor General will deliver remarks alongside the mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, and Dr. Roberta Bondar, O.C., O. Ont., the Celebrate 100! Honorary Community Ambassador.

Their Excellencies will also unveil a commemorative plaque.

Following his remarks, the Governor General will present the Caring Canadian Award to three deserving volunteers.

Created in 1995, the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award recognizes living Canadians and permanent residents who have made a significant, sustained, unpaid contribution to their community, in Canada or abroad.

Often working behind the scenes, these individuals volunteer their time and efforts to help their fellow citizens.

The award also brings to light the example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are a part of our Canadian character.

Diane Marshall - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Diane Marshall has enriched the community of Sault Ste. Marie through her volunteer work.

She has devoted her time to countless charitable organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the United Way, the Council for Exceptional Children and the Sault Area Hospital board.

As a Rotary Club volunteer, Ms. Marshall travelled to India at her own expense to participate in a polio eradication and immunization program.

Closer to home, she developed the Rotaryfest Kids’ Zone, recruiting, scheduling and training hundreds of volunteers.

She co- ordinated the local Christmas Cheer program, which provides Christmas baskets to over 1,800 local families each year.

Most recently, she was the vice-chair of the Scottie's Tournament of Hearts held in Sault Ste. Marie in 2010.

Jean Wyatt  - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Jean Wyatt has made an outstanding contribution to her community.

She volunteers with such organizations as the Alzheimer Society, VON Hospice and the Royal Canadian Legion.

She is part of the Red Cross Emergency Response Team and has been deployed for domestic disaster management several times.

Ms. Wyatt was also a “Singing Santa” for several years, visiting seniors homes and hospitals.

Today, in her capacity as branch council president of the Red Cross, she has been able to bring attention to the needs of seniors and to underscore the contributions that they can provide to their communities.

Charles (Chuck) - Vernelli Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Chuck Vernelli has been involved with the Sault Ste. Marie Military Family Support Group ever since his son was killed while deployed in Afghanistan.

Since that time, he has never refused a request for assistance, including driving to Toronto to participate in Highway of Heroes processions and putting up yellow ribbons in support of our troops.

He has volunteered on committees for two golf tournaments: Red Friday Golf Fun Day and Algoma Family Services’ Golf for Kids.

A retired teacher, he has also been active in planning and raising funds for a new playground - which will be named after his son - and has established an annual bursary for the most outstanding grade 8 student at Queen Elizabeth Public School.

Civic Centre, North Grounds (off Bay Street)

5:45 p.m. - Visit to the Roberta Bondar Foundation Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Algoma

Their Excellencies will visit the Art Gallery of Algoma to see an exhibition of works from the Roberta Bondar Foundation.

The Foundation responds to the recognized need within society to educate and improve knowledge of the environment in a way that stimulates interest, excitement, creativity, responsibility, and for some, the desire for study in this area.

Art Gallery of Algoma, 10 East Street

Thursday, August 30

9:50 a.m. - Community Ecumenical Service Their Excellencies will attend a community ecumenical service at St. Luke’s Cathedral

The Service of the Word will include the memorial blessing and dedication of a new pipe organ, a memorial to Captain Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian Forces member killed in Afghanistan.

The Governor General will give a reading. St. Luke’ s Anglican Cathedral, 160 Brock Street

11:45 a.m. - Discussion on Aboriginal education

Their Excellencies will participate in a discussion hosted by Dr. Ron Common, president of Sault College, and Carolyn Hepburn, director of native education at Sault College with Leaders of Batchewana, Garden River and M’Chigeeng First Nations, Elders, students, elementary, secondary and post-secondary school administrators, and other community members on the importance of Aboriginal education.

The topics will include innovative and effective programs being implemented in the local community.

Enji Maawnjiding Centre, Sault College, 443 Northern Avenue

1:45 p.m. - Round table on a smart and caring Sault Ste. Marie

The Governor General will participate in a round-table discussion with local service providers and leaders, including United Way chairs, community organizations, the Mayor, and university representatives, to discuss collaboration and cooperation to ensure each citizen is adequately served in their community and is given the chance to serve their community.

Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive

4:15 p.m. - Dedication of Algoma University’s Biosciences and Technology Convergence Centre (BTCC)

Following a group discussion on innovation with partners of the BTCC, His Excellency will attend a ceremony to officially dedicate the centre.

Located on the Algoma University Campus, the BTCC is a mixed use facility occupied in part by Algoma University and by science and technology-based partners.

The Governor General will deliver remarks.

Algoma University, 1520 Queen Street East

Itinerary of Her Excellency Sharon Johnston

2 p.m. - Visit to the former Shingwauk Residential School and Chapel

Her Excellency often visited the Shingwauk Residential School in her youth when she accompanied her mother who was a nurse.

She will visit the site which is now the administration building of Algoma University.

The building and the nearby Bishop Fauquier Memorial Chapel have recently been dedicated as national memorials by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Algoma University, 1520 Queen Street East

2:55 p.m. - Visit to the Algoma Family Services Centre

Her Excellency will visit the Algoma Family Services Centre to learn more about the specialized mental health programming for children and youth,including the Intensive

Treatment program, a unique, goal-oriented, comprehensive treatment program designed to serve multi-problem children and youth in their community.

Algoma Family Services Centre, 205 McNabb Street

4:10 p.m. - Visit to the Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre (IFC)

Her Excellency will tour the IFC, learn more about their programs and services and meet and speak with participants.

The IFC provides programs in areas such as health, education, career development, mental health and wellness, and literacy to Aboriginal children, youth and adults across the city in four different locations.

Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre, 122 East Street

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