The 4th Line theatre Board Chair Brian Field, Mayor Graham, Deputy Mayor Huntley, Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell and founder Robert Winslow meet with Minister Cho and MPP Laurie Scott to thank the province for the Seniors’ grant funding they will use in new programs to support local seniors.
MPP Laurie Scott and Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho hear CM Libraries CEO Karla Buckborough explain her plans for the new Seniors’ grant from the province.
Last month, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho along with MPP Laurie Scott visited the town-ship to celebrate two grants to local organizations to support seniors’ programming. The 4th Line Theatre will receive $24,350 in funding to run a 20 week theatre program for seniors, Cavan Monaghan Libraries will receive $25,000 in funding to assist running their You Belong programs, blending education and friendship.
Under the Seniors Community Grants Program, the province is investing up to $25,000 per project to not-for-profit organizations and community groups to deliver projects, supports and resources that help older adults live independently, live with safety and security, stay connected to their community, avoid isolation and achieve greater social connections.
This is the fourth Seniors grant that CM Libraries has received since 2025. The first round was used to collect stories from local seniors. The library has also hosted a variety of “Lunch and Learn” events, which are information sessions with guest speakers discussing issues such as health issues including the Canadian Dental Plan, preparing for a health care appointment, and how to address sleeping challenges, as well as some creative events where participants participate in crafts such as knit-ting, crochet and rug hooking. This next round of funding will be used to host presentations on navigating Senior Care options, Emergency Preparedness, understanding food labels, among other topics. There will be more crafting activities as well as some physical workshops.
Library CEO Karla Buckborough and Outreach Coordinator Courtney Spence explain “The Cavan Monaghan Libraries is truly grateful for the funding we have received. This funding allows us to continue offering needed programming for the older adults in our community where we can blend education and friendship in a safe, inclusive space. Our upcoming programs will allow seniors to learn about frauds and scams and AI, using iPads and technology and rediscovering skills such as sewing and rug hooking.” For more information, contact Courtney Spence at tutor@cmlibraries.ca.
Starting September 30th, The 4th Line theatre is launching a series of free weekly classes instructed by the theatre’s founder, Robert Winslow, and Managing Artistic Director, Kim Blackwell, alongside guest instructors Megan Murphy, and Justin Hiscox. Participants will meet on Wednesdays from 9am to 11am to work on improvisation, theatre games, storytelling and collaborative play. Participants will explore movement, voice, singing, character creation and ensemble work in a supportive, low-pressure environment. The 20 weeks (people do not have to commit to all 20 weeks) will culminate in a final performance in March 2027, where 4th Line encourages friends and family to attend and celebrate everyone’s amazing achievements!
“In a rural community, opportunities for seniors to gather, create and feel meaningfully connected can make an enormous difference,” states Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “Seniors carry an extraordinary wealth of stories, knowledge and lived experience, and we want 4th Line to be a place where those stories are valued and where people continue to feel creative, connected and essential to their community.”
No experience is required – just curiosity, community and the joy of trying something new!
Interested in registering or have questions? Email celine@4thlinetheatre.on.ca or call (705) 932-4505. Registration closes on September 18th at 12pm.