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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
Welcome to Summer 2024 - it's been an interesting Spring, to say the least.
With some amazing volunteer efforts over the past two months, we as a Norway Bay Community have managed to come through this looking pretty good, at least in my somewhat biased view. We've got a brand new dock configuration for swimming setup, and while I know it's not what we're so accustomed to seeing, it proves that teamwork is always the winning solution! And I think it's fair to say that how we rallied, and what have as a community built - is making people feel pretty comfortable that things are going to keep going forward, and what we all cherish in terms of the Norway Bay traditions are still solid and moving ahead. And not to mention that all the other programs - Field Sports, Tennis, Basketball, Pickleball, Theatre, Canoe, Regatta, etc are all still happening too. The kids (and let's be honest that's why most of us are reading this) will adapt quickly and let us know pretty quickly what we need to tweak. The initial feedback has been very positive and we are very ready to adjust as necessary as the season moves forward. This is a big change, but we now know it will work!
So as I look at the bigger picture, this year so far has certainly presented some unforeseen challenges, both in terms of the obvious Pier access, but also in terms of the uncertainties around all the program activities that depend on it, and the inevitable time constraints that dealing with addressing those questions has imposed on all of us at the NBMA. We all feel grateful that with the tremendous support of the whole community, we have in place what we need, and are moving forward with all the swimming and all other programs. But I want to let people know that many of those challenges still impact us, and will for the next while. I was quite worried when the announcement about the Pier came out and feared that we would not be able to continue with what I see as our primary mandate: to provide the children of Norway Bay with a fun, SAFE, and enriching environment in which to learn and grow. We have, and will continue to do that - thanks to your help!!. But as most of you know, that is not just an NBMA goal - that is a Norway Bay Community goal. And I would like to call on the community to help us ensure that we can continue to fulfill that responsibility.
With the combined impact of three very significant realities, namely the residual results of the pandemic, the closure of the Pier (and associated uncertainty around availability) and the ongoing inflationary impacts on costs - staff wages but also other elements like supplies, insurance, utilities and others, we as an NBMA organization are truly feeling the pinch. As a team, the NBMA Board has worked very hard to trim costs, streamline programs and activities, and re-visit many of our activities, and have made a lot of progress on these fronts. However, the reality is that many people that weren't certain if programs would be available had to make alternative arrangements, and so our registrations are down from past years. Early results seem to show that they are starting to pick up, but not to where we need them to be. I don't have to remind any families out there about the concurrent inflation's impact on everyday costs. The NBMA is feeling the same pain.
So as we move forward in this most interesting 2024 season - one that is going to be memorable for a lot of great reasons - I am asking the Community to acknowledge both the efforts and importance of the NBMA and its activities. We have already had a very successful Kick-Off Event (the Chili Cook-Off event), and have several more coming including the Golf Tournament and the Trivia Night (please see below). But we need more. I would respectfully ask that if anyone in Norway Bay was thinking of perhaps making a donation, or volunteering to help us, that this would be a great time to act on that. We want to be able to continue to grow, and at the same time be able to respond properly to the whatever is in store. Perhaps that's some necessary upgrades to Centennial Hall (such as the washrooms & kitchen facilities, the ventilation and the entire structure), perhaps the inevitable investments we will need to make to accommodate the new Pier configuration as it evolves, perhaps simply to be better able to exploit what we have - such as shade structures at the swimming docks, or the tennis/pickleball court. But we'll need your help to be able to do that.
As President, I am (respectfully) asking that if any of you can help us out, this would be very appreciated. Below is a link to donate to the NBMA, which would be much appreciated - and allow us to continue to provide the experience that all of our children want. Thank you VERY MUCH in advance.
Link to donate: click here
Warm regards,
Pat Byrne, President
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SWAG POP-UP STORE:
Hello everyone, due to some unexpected and extremely unfortunate hiccups, this year's Norway Bay Swag Store is a mini pop-up version featuring a fun new 2024 graphic, reminding us that "happiness comes with currents", especially the current in our beloved river.
All stock is live on the website and when an item is out of stock, it is no longer available. We have tees (long and short sleeved), tank tops, and hoodies for both kids and adults, as well as some new fun baseball caps!
We hope to have a better store for you next year and appreciate your ongoing support. Please remember that all proceeds go to the NBMA and that this is a fundraiser.
Please visit the store and purchase your Norway Bay items now!
No shipping is available, all items are "Porch Pick Up" beginning mid-July.
https://norway-bay-general-store.myshopify.com/
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SOCIAL EVENTS UPDATE:
Saturday July 13th: Fourth Annual Norway Bay Golf Tournament
We invite all members to attend the NBMA 4th Annual Golf Tournament and Lunch on Saturday July 13th. This fundraising event will consist of a four-golfer per team best-ball format. Lunch will follow. If you wish to attend only the lunch that will also be an option.
Location: The Astra Estates (Norway Bay Golf Course)
Time: Check-in will begin at 9:00am with a shotgun start at 9:30am sharp.
Lunch: Lunch will be served at 11:45am.
We look forward to hosting you for an action-packed day of friendly golf, good food and fun!
Registration is limited to 72 golfers so we encourage you to get your teams signed up as soon as possible.
To register, please email bethmcgahern@bell.net or julia.hardie@ocsb.ca to ensure all golfers are in their desired groups.
We will once again have four categories of registration depending on whether someone is a Norway Bay Golf Club Member: Junior (16 & under) Member, Junior Non-Member, Adult Member & Adult Non-Member.
The cost of golf and lunch is $60.00 per person ($45 if you are a member of Astra)
Lunch only: $30.00 (per person).
TO REGISTER FOR THE GOLF AND/OR LUNCH, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM. PAYMENT WILL BE COLLECTED SEPARATELY.
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