TAX ME, I’M CANADIAN

Linda Leatherdale, feisty financial commentator, known as the Great Defender of Main Street, has returned to her home town to give a presentation.  She has forced politicians to rethink tax grabs and has fought for fairness for hard-working families, who account for two-thirds of our country’s health and wealth.  Linda reminds leaders “One taxpayer, one pocket.”  Linda began her journalism career in Orillia, where she worked as a reporter for the Orillia Packet & Times.  She was Financial/Money Editor for the Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton Sun newspapers, Editor of Ontario Business Magazine, has written for numerous publications and has been on various TV and radio shows.  She stages popular financial seminars and is author of Money Is A Girl’s Best Friend. Linda is now Vice-President, Marketing and Business Development for Cambria, a North American manufacturer of natural quartz surfaces and a family-owned, privately-held enterprise that is investing in new jobs in Canada.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Highwayman Inn, 201 Woodside Drive, Orillia

Men and women are welcome to hear this dynamic speaker

Social/Networking: 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Non-members $35.00, Members $25.00

Tickets available until noon Monday, June 7:

Street’s Flower Shop, 242 Coldwater Rd. W, Orillia (325-1351)

Office of Garfield Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North, 14 Coldwater Rd. W., Orillia (326-3246)

Members: RSVP before noon, Monday, June 7

Call 705-325-OBWA (6292)

The Orillia Women’s Business Association (OBWA) hosted the 20th annual dinner for the Nelle Carter Woman of the Year and the Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year. The staff at Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club served a delicious meal to a full house of members & supporters.

Maureen Way was awarded the Nelle Carter 2010 Woman of the Year Award. Maureen is General manager of the Stone Gate Inn and co-owner of Sixteen Front. Maureen is also an active member on Ontario’s Lake Country tourism marketing board and chamber of commerce. She took the role in bringing summer theatre back to Orillia, has been very involved in the Festival of Banners, Beatles Celebration, blues festival and jazz festival. Way also is a supporter of Couchiching Jubilee House, as well as National Aboriginal Day.

Kaylyn Dixon was awarded the Lisa Brooking 2010 Young Woman of the Year Award. Kaylyn attended Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Kaylyn received early acceptance into Carleton University, but is hoping to get into McMaster University for its life science program. She volunteers at the YMCA swim program, parks and recreation, Global Village, Relay for Life Cancer Relay and Wheelchair Relay. Dixon also tutors younger math students, while holding down a part-time job. She hopes to become a pediatrician.

Other Nominees for the Nelle Carter 2010 Woman of the Year Award were: Kristi McKechnie, Angela Thomson, Audra Terry, Eleanor Tinney and Evelyn Montgomery Bozos. All were awarded with distinction.

Other Nominees for the Lisa Brooking 2010 Young Woman of the Year Award were: Alex Clarke, Hilary Rice and Michelle Wigham. All were awarded with distinction.

Click here to view the 2010 Young Woman of the Year Interviews

Click here to view the 2010 Woman of the Year Interviews

Click here to view A Few Words from Judge Carter, son of Nelle Carter

Click here to view the highlights from the Awards Ceremony

May is a special month for Orillia Business Women’s Association. It is a time to celebrate “Women” and “Young Women”. Women who go above and beyond to provide help, inspiration and motivation to our community. We have a number of well-deserved Women and Young Women of distinction to recognize this month.

Come join us as we celebrate their success at

Hawkridge Golf and Country Club on

Wednesday 12^th May

from 5:30pm – 9:00pm.

Our nominees for “Nelle Carter Woman of the Year”

Evelyn Montgomery Bazos

Eleanor Tinney

Audra Terry

Angela Thomson

Kristi McKechnie

Maureen Way

Nominees for Lisa Brooking “Young Woman of the Year”

Alex Clarke – Patrick Fogarty CSS

Michelle Wigham – Park Street CI

Kaylyn Dixon – ODCVI

Hilary Rice – Twin Lakes SS

Tickets are available at:Northern Business Equipment – Colborne St., and Garfield Dunlop’s office Coldwater Rd. or contact Betsy Gross @ 705-835-3725.

The Orillia Business Women’s Association is pleased to present Leslie Andrew and her “Beating the Odds” talk on January 13th, 2010 at the MAriposa Inn and Confrence Centre, 400 Memorial Ave, Orillia. Netwroking and appetizers from 6:30 -7:30 with Leslie Andrew’s to follow.

Lesley Andrew has spoken across North America about ‘Beating the Odds – taking the responsibility for personal change and growth, overcoming obstacles, facing fears and attaining goals.’

A mixture of stories, poignant memories, humour, lessons to be learned and inspiration; Lesley’s talks have been extremely well received by groups of all ages. A well-known Canadian singer and actress, Lesley’s seminars include a performance of songs.

Ms. Andrew has made special guest television appearances on The Tonight Show, Oprah Winfrey, To Tell the Truth, Donny &

Marie, The Comedy Network, YTV, Regis & Kathy Lee and many more. A popular motivational speaker, Ms. Andrew is engaged

across Canada by Educators, Universities, Corporations, Service Clubs and Student Organizations.

For more information about Lesley Andrew or to learn about availability, please contact www.dreaminprogress.com or call toll free 1-866-LANDREW

Please join us for an entertaining and inspirational evening. Tickets are $25 and are available at Norther Business Equipment, Garfield Dunlops Office and Streets Flowers until Monday Janurary 11^th. If you have questions, please call 705-325-6292 or email OBWA@orilliabusinesswomen.com

Join us for our Christmas Meeting & Social Networking Musical Entertainment

Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Highwayman Inn, 201 Woodside Drive in Orillia

Networking & Conversation: 5:30 p.m
Dinner: 6:30 p.m

Non-members cost is $35.00

Dress festively: reds, greens, baubles and sparkles! As in past years, please bring a GIFT as a donation to The Green Haven Shelter Suggestion: Grocery Store Gift Certificate

This is a great time to get together with fellow members and guests Come out and enjoy the evening and bring a Friend.

Please RSVP to 705-325-OBWA (6292) or email us at obwa@orilliabusinesswomen.com before noon on Monday, December 7 to reserve for dinner or for more information.

In preparation for our December Social Networking night, please consider this valuable information offered to us by Donna Messer of ConnectUs Canada- The Queen of Networking.
Donna taught us in her appearance a few years back to utilize her “Smile and Ask- Think and Link” theory for networking. Ask yourself~
-Who am I and what is my strength?
-What are my hobbies and interests?
-Who do I know?
-What do they know?
-What special skills do I have?
-What charity or volunteer organization do I care about?
-What is my wildest dream?

The answers to the above questions provide you with your One Minute Infomercial and prepare you for a fun night of networking. Be sure to bring business cards to share!

You can find more valuable info about Donna and ConnectUs Canada at her website~
http://www.connectuscanada.com/index.html

The Orillia Business Women’s Association is pleased to present as the speaker for the meeting on November 11, Capt. Kelly Laberee-Sampson, who is currently posted to CFB Borden. She will address Canadian military history in chronological order from WWII to present and also talk about her own experiences.

The Orillia Business Women’s Association will meet on November 11 at the Highwayman Inn, 201 Woodside Drive, Orillia. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. The cost for members dinners are $25.00 and $35.00 for non-members. Call 705-325-OBWA (6292) or email obwa@orilliabusinesswomen.com before noon on Monday, November 9 to reserve for dinner.

On October 14, 2009, the OBWA transformed the Highwayman Inn Simcoe Room / Leacock Room into their October Fall Trade Show. This yearly event was enjoyed by both members and guests who all attended. The OBWA October Fall Trade Show is an opportunity to showcase your business to other members and the general public at no charge.

Below you will find some pictures from this year’s event and also video footage.