Trade Fair partners
Aylmer has everything seniors and busy families could ask for
“Think local, visit Aylmer shops” has never been a more satisfying experience. The Bulletin team is gathering local experts and shop-keepers to the Aydelu Centre for two days, May 28 & 29, so Aylmerites can visit with them in one place in person at a festive Trade Fair. They will have kiosks, treats, and all this with everyone’s favourite dance-maker VJ Groove Machine. He and his band got dancers to their feet at the old Marina restaurant, and are back in Aylmer for the Bulletin Trade Fair to kick off a season of regular shows at the new Marina restaurant Le Bateau.
Aylmer has a long tradition of welcoming new residents, as well as visitors from near and far. It was founded in 1857, with a first town meeting at the end of August. This year, the 175th Anniversary is being celebrated with a logo contest, a series of articles in the Bulletin, parade floats and celebration at various Aylmer activities this summer. APICA hosts the Old Aylmer Festival August 14, 15 and 16, as well as being involved in many Aylmer activities, such as Outaouais en fête and Canada Day, Oktoberfest and the Auto Show. APICA supports the Trade Fair; their publicity in this week’s edition has a list of members. These local businesses and professionals can be counted on for reliability and community involvement. This strong local business association is an example of the tight-knit community here. Members of APICA serve seniors and families, as with the other participants in the Trade Fair on May 28 and 29 at the Aydelu Centre.
What makes a community is the family of businesses, services and organizations providing their expertise. Services to seniors have undergone a major shift in Aylmer in the last decade. Options for living arrangements have grown for the 55+ segment, making Old Aylmer accessible in a way not previously known. With Covid and the high impact crisis in the residences, attention to densified collective living has risen to the top of Aylmer priorities for families and seniors.
The Gatineau Ombudsman is a city office that is at arms-length to the rest of the city officials and offices. They are available for consultation at any time that a service or situation does not seem right. The office of the Ombudsman can be contacted by anyone, for any question. If they are not able to help, the experts there will help the caller find the right service in regard to review or access to rights.
Aylmer Family Law firm is Me Marc Gobeil and two other lawyers, Me Deborah Stephenson and Me Stéphanie Djaiyep. This team of experts in family law focus on both mediation and legal representation. They will be at the Trade Fair to meet people and talk about options. “Well over 50% of our clients come in for mediation,” Me Gobeil explaned to the Bulletin. The Quebec government covers five hours of mediation when a couple decides to live apart and there are children involved. If it is a couple without children, the number of hours covered is three. For anyone who doesn’t get into to see them at the Bulletin Trade Fair, they are available at their Aylmer Road location or by calling Avocat famille Aylmer: 819 684-6161. {PHOTO}
Working to provide access to improved lives, Connexions Resource Centre does outstanding work linking people with the health community. With a focus on the minority English-speaking community in Outaouais, the team at Connexions organizes workshops, does outreach, handles advocacy and researches best practices. This vital addition to the community will be on hand at the Aydelu Centre May 28 & 29.
Centre d’exposition l’Imagier is an art exhibit and public space in Old Aylmer. Located on Front Street near the Marina, there is an arts park where music is on offer in nice weather. Space is available to rent at Imagier for events. The arts camp is popular, and of high quality.
Attention to all things health is a priority at L’EssenCiel, O! So Natural. Located at the same intersection as Café Mulligan, Bistro L’Autre Oeil and Antonyme Restaurant, L’EssenCiel is a massage clinic with much more to offer in terms of skin and muscle care. Established at the core of Aylmer, the owners are now also offering an entirely different service: Celebratory balloon arrangements. The business name is Ballons Wooopii Balloons and is a key place to find helium-filled balloon arrangements. “Congratulations on the fabulous event that will help unite our community. Wish we could be there in person. We are so happy to be able to provide a beautiful balloon arch for all to enjoy during this great weekend,” Chantal Macey of both Ballons Wooopii Balloons and L’EssenCiel, O! So Natural told the Bulletin
For bringing fun home, Full of Beans Party Rentals has all the supplies needed for throwing the right party, including helium-filled balloon arrangements. The perfect combination of party supplies goes with Fun Factor, the kiddo amusement centre in the Galeries Aylmer. These fun people will be at the Aydelu Centre Trade Fair.
For a VR party, Chimera VR notches up the party offer in Aylmer. Visit the VR crew at the Trade Show May 28 and 29 to find out all about the wide variety of VR party options. Alex Charlebois started Chimera VR before the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of this company is to provide state-of-the-art virtual reality entertainment. Kids birthday parties are the big hit in Aylmer, with Chimera setting up at the birthday for a 3-hour session of games. There are other high-end events popular with this service, especially real-estate. Charlebois says he’ll be at the Trade Fair to meet the community and show how VR works. {PHOTO}
Eating well is at the heart of what the Marché JD family offers. This gem is in the shopping centre on Aylmer Road near the Dairy Queen and Casa Grecque. Featuring Antillean, Caribbean and southern foods, they are a multi-ethnic grocery store. These caring shopkeepers are participating in the Trade Fair because focusing on families, with an accent on seniors, is a part of their mission. Healthy families start at the table, and the ingredients can be found at Marché JD.
Caring for the body comes with eating well and this is what Centre d’entraînement ISDP does well. Practice equipment for hockey players, summer camps for kids and a training centre for sports players is key to this local business’s success. Meet the crew at the Trade Fair to learn about why so many families are plugged into staying fit and improving their game with the help of these caring experts.
Going green is on everyone’s mind. Living in Aylmer means living between the Gatineau Hills and the mighty Ottawa River. CFT Group is a recycling facility on Klock Road that pays cash for metal. For Aylmer families wanting their waste re-purposed locally, CFT Group is there to help.
With the community at the heart of the Trade Show, one partner stands out as key to ensuring that respect for families is followed. Maison funéraire Racine, Robert & Gauthier Beauchamp has an expert team to accompany families in a difficult time. The process of preparing for losing a loved one, of ensuring one’s plans are established and taken care of, and of carrying out funeral wishes is emotional business. Having a team to accompany families through this hardship helps lighten the burden. Find out more in person at the Aydelu Centre at the Bulletin Trade Show.
