Marmora Matters: Marmora Mahjonggathon for CMH

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The Economic Development Advisory Committee of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake has been very productive in 2025. Comprised entirely of volunteers, the Committee spearheaded the refurbishing and modernization of the Marmora Mine sign, launched the Community Ambassador program and most recently documented obsolete and damaged signs in town. At the Nov. 18th Council meeting, the Committee’s recommendation to direct staff to enforce Sign Bylaw 2011-47 was accepted.

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Council also approved the Marmora Public School’s request for waiver of the rental fee for the Community Centre for their annual festive turkey dinner. The event is usually held in the school’s kitchen but this year the kitchen has been reassigned as a classroom so cannot be used. Finally, Council agreed to consider supporting the Heart of Hastings Hospice in the 2026 budget deliberations. Votes on issues such as these are not recorded (unless requested), so the only way for the public to know how a Councillor voted is to watch the meeting.

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Recommended Videos

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At the Dec. 2nd meeting, Council dealt with two motions put forward by Councillor Lakatos. One impacts the Lions Club, the other impacts the Library. I strongly recommend you watch it on YouTube. You owe it to yourself to be informed about Councillor’s positions on these and other issues.

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In my last article, I wrote about running for Council in the 2026 municipal elections. Several people commented to me that they wouldn’t fit in on council because they speak their minds. I assured them that fitting in is not the objective and being outspoken should be no deterrent. The qualities required are integrity, honesty, decency, willingness to work hard, prepare for meetings and to put the interests of residents and the community as a whole first. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is offering a series of free workshops for aspiring candidates on Mar. 10th Apr. 7th, 28th and May 19th. See www.amo.om.ca/events for the Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities series.

The Festival of Trees was spectacular and spectacularly successful! More than $3300 was raised through the Sleigh of Cheer and donated to the Marmora Helping Hands Food Bank.

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The Jane Austen Christmas Tea is returning to the Library on Dec. 6th. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the writer’s birth and this is an opportunity to celebrate her and her work. Enjoy tea, treats and readings by local writers. To reserve your spot call the Library at 613-472-3122 or email assistlib@marmoralibrary.ca. You can drop by last minute, as sometimes there is space.

The Lions Club hosts the annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 6 pm. The parade leaves the Fairgrounds and travels along Madoc, Forsyth, Linn and Bursthall. Bring your letters to Santa – they will be collected by Lions members. At 7 pm, enjoy hot dogs and hot chocolate and meet Santa Claus in the Community Centre.

Dec. 9th is the deadline for the Food Bank’s Christmas gift card and hamper applications. Pick up and submit applications at the Library or Food Bank.

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You likely know that the Province is funding the building of a new Campbellford Memorial Hospital on land generously donated by Jim Curle. Great news. Now the but. The BUT is: communities must raise every dollar needed to equip the new facility… every gurney, every heart monitor, every blood pressure meter must be purchased with community dollars. That’s a lot of money. But, this is OUR local hospital. Recently a small group of Marmora residents got together to raise money for the hospital by participating in a 12-hour MahJonggathon. From 9:30 am to 9:30 pm, with breaks for the necessities of life, dressed in the comfiest of clothes, with prizes for best dressed and fewest swears,

this small group raised hundreds of dollars and had thousands of laughs. And if you’re not familiar with Mah Jongg, you can learn to play at the Library on Thursdays at 3 pm.

Get going! Get smart! Get involved in Marmora!

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