A Georgetown woman is planning to make history twice this weekend.
Colleen Shields, 56, expects to become the oldest woman again to swim across Lake Ontario and hopes to break the existing female record of 15 hours and 10 minutes.
Shields, a travel consultant in Mississauga, is watching the erratic weather this week and keeping her fingers crossed that it will not delay her anticipated departure from Queens Royal Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
If all goes as scheduled, she will step into the water around 7 p.m. tonight (Friday) and emerge around 10 a.m. Saturday at Toronto's Marilyn Bell Park.  
This will be her third crossing of Lake Ontario.
In 1990, Shields went the 53-kilometre (32-mile) distance in 17 hours and 56 minutes. Two summers ago, she bested herself by making it in 16 hours and 31 minutes.
A member of the Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club, Shields has also conquered the chilly waters between Tobermory and Manitoulin and acted as swim master for at least eight long distance solo swimmers on Lake Ontario.
She was one of 12 swimmers to participate in the 2004 relay across the lake to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Bell's 1954 crossing.
Shields has been training with Etobicoke Masters Coach Brent Aquino and credits him with preparing her physically and mentally for the swim.
She will be swimming for Right to Play, which provides sports opportunities to children in war-torn countries.

Recycling plan working
Friday July 25 2008 The majority of Halton residents are on board with the Region’s new waste diversion program.
According to the Region, about 80 per cent of all Halton residents are now using their GreenCart and Blue Box on a weekly basis.
“I thank all... Dogs won’t be sent to research labs
Friday July 25 2008 By Cynthia Gamble, Staff Writer A moratorium has been placed on sending unwanted Halton Hills dogs to research facilities.
Liz White of the Animal Alliance of Canada made the request of Halton Hills council at a recent meeting.
“You guys do an absolute fabulous job at... Fire destroys trailer
Friday July 25 2008 Halton Hills fire crews responded to Smallwood Acres on Dublin Line in Acton for a fire that gutted a trailer last Thursday at 10:52 a.m.
When firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the roof vent. Firefighters quickly... Man charged with racing after crash
Friday July 25 2008 An Erin man is facing charges after an accident on Trafalgar Rd. at Hwy. 7 Saturday about 12:15 a.m.
Halton Police were running radar on Hwy. 7 at that time when they clocked a driver traveling at an excessively high rate of speed.
The... Makeup of Regional council won’t change before next Census
Friday July 25 2008 By Cynthia Gamble, Staff Writer Halton Region will wait until after the 2010 Census before considering the number of councillors representing the four Halton municipalities.
This means there will be no change in the regional representation for the 2010 municipal election— any... Few kids receiving mental health care— Zeni
Wednesday July 23 2008 By Stephanie Hounsell, Special to the IFP Eating disorders. Depression. Bipolar disorder. Anxiety.
It’s a laundry list of mental health conditions that nobody should have to deal with, least of all children.
But on a regular basis, Dr. Deborah Zeni, a family physician in... Town monitoring proposed quarry
Wednesday July 23 2008 The Town is monitoring a proposed quarry application that may have an effect on the Town of Halton Hills.
The proposed Rockfort Quarry, a 220-acre quarry in Caledon, owned by James Dick Construction Ltd., is located north of Halton Hills, on... Local kids facing long wait for mental health services
Wednesday July 23 2008 By Stephanie Hounsell, Special to the IFP One in five Ontario children struggles with a diagnosable disorder— emotional, mental or behavioural.
And in Halton, getting help isn’t easy due to a long wait list— in some cases up to a year— for services. Many local kids and teens remain... NEC upholds order to level BMX track
Wednesday July 23 2008 By Lisa Tallyn, Staff Writer Family and friends of Tim DaSilva, the young Milton man who was killed while building a BMX track at Halton Place in 2006, were devastated Thursday by the Niagara Escarpment Commission decision that an order issued earlier should stand, and the... Variance granted for medical centre
Wednesday July 23 2008 Halton Hills Committee of Adjustment approved a minor variance application related to the proposed Acton Medical Centre in Acton.
The proposed centre, at 63 Church St., was originally designed to be built as a two-storey building, but that has... Region supports Bonnette’s motion to ask Province for can/bottle deposit
Wednesday July 23 2008 The Region is calling on the Province to consider putting a deposit on pop cans and water bottles to help reduce littering.
A motion to that effect, made by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, was passed by regional council at its meeting last... Popularity of dental program forces Region to cut assistance
Wednesday July 23 2008 The Region is cutting back on part of its dental financial assistance program.
The move, decided by regional council last Wednesday, comes as a result of the overwhelming response the municipality has received this year for its Dental Care... Fight over Norval store nearing end?
Friday July 18 2008 By Cynthia Gamble, Staff Writer

What The Carpet Palace owner George Kanichis has described as a “stressful rollercoaster ride to get to this point” is slowly coming to an end.
Kanichis and partner Steve Klintsaris have been stymied in their bid for a new building to...