5. REPORTS

5.1 Management

D. Sanborn provides the following updates to the Board members on behalf of C. Masterson, Manager of Cultural Affairs:

 Elizabeth Talman Walker Portrait

All paperwork has been approved, Toronto Art Restoration Inc. is now able to begin the testing phase on the portrait, before moving on with the work to clean it.

 "At the Manor" Events

The 1st Annual Harvest Dinner at Willistead Manor on October 27, 2019 was sold out. One hundred guests attended the event. Three long "community style" tables had people sitting alongside each other for an epic farm-to-table meal.

This year, the annual Holiday Tours take place Sundays, December 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29; and Wednesdays, December 4 and 18, 2019. We do not have tours Wednesday, December 11, or Wednesday December 25 (Christmas Day).

A Breakfast Buffet with Santa will take place on Sundays, December 1, 8 & 22, 2019. Mini self-guided tours of the first floor of the Manor will be available.

Yoga classes will continue to be offered at Willistead Manor on Monday evenings during the winter. Registration occurs through the Recreation & Culture Activity Guide.

 Saltmarche Gallery Flooring Project

Facilities staff have been assigned to lead the Saltmarche Gallery (also known as the North/East Gallery) flooring Project that will see the carpeting removed and hard wood flooring extended throughout the entire room. Staff have had a site visit and is in early discussions with contractors to price out new flooring with three different options. Recommendations will be made once the flooring conditions under the carpet have been established and pricing has been obtained. The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2020.

 Touch-up Painting on the First Floor

There are some areas of the first floor (Dining Room, Morning Room / Billiard Room / Library) that have been scraped because of chipping, cracking and flaking paint. These areas will be painted during the week of January 13, 2020.

 Catering Contract at Willistead Manor 

Thyme To-Go began providing catering services at the manor in 2016, with a three year contract with an option to extend another three years. They are currently at the start of their fourth year. The contract is being extended the full allowable option to end in April 2022.