Garson-Falconbridge Community Action Network holds chalk contest
With so many people at home during the pandemic, the demand for sidewalk chalk has been high as children seek activities close to home.
That’s why the Garson-Falconbridge Community Action Network (CAN) has partnered with a local business for its latest contest.
“Book an appointment with the Dollar Store With More and get some free chalk,” said CAN chair Eddie Astgen. "Go home, go to your favourite spot, draw something, write something. You don’t have to be an artist."
Astgen said the CAN wanted to do something to engage the community.
“We wanted to get them outside enjoying the weather, having a little bit of fun, putting smiles on people's faces -- that’s the main goal of it,” he said.
Maintain momentum
The group started doing contests in December when it encouraged residents to share photos of their Christmas light displays. The chalk contest aims to keep the momentum of that going, Astgen said. He's only been with the CAN for a little while, but said the work the group does is important
“It helps bring people together," he said. "It also gives people a voice outside of going through the city channels to get things that they want done, whether it be parks, trail heads, signs anything like that.”
Johanna Westby, an artist who has created several murals in the city, has lived in Garson for a decade. So when Westby heard about the contest, she immediately jumped on board.
But she wasn’t just going to doodle in her driveway
“I hope this inspires other people to do the same," Westby said. "I think it’s wonderful to be able to share this. It doesn’t matter whether you think you’re good at it or not, it’s always just nice to have something to communicate with your neighbours and share a little bit of that sunshine.”
As for the CAN's next contest, next month they will be looking for the dirtiest vehicle and the winner will receive a detailing package from a local business.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.