Honourable Harry Corwin Nixon Marker Unveiled!

 

The Ontario Heritage Trust will be unveiling a marker commemorating the gravesite of the Honourable Harry Corwin Nixon at a ceremony at the St. George United Church (9 Beverly Street East, St. George) on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

 

Further details on this program can be found in a posting from earlier this month on this blog.

 

For more information, call 416-325-5000.

 

 

 

The Brant Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society meeting on Sunday, Feb. 22

The Brant Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will meet on Sunday, Feb. 22 from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m. at the library/office building in Smokey Hollow Estates, 118 Powerline Rd. Brantford. Their Black History month speaker will be Brantford resident Marcus Snowden talking about early Black History in the Brantford area.

The meeting will also be a great opportunity, if you haven't already had the opportunity, to check out the great facilities that the Brant OGS have set up at Smokey Hollow. The library is a great resource and the new building provides an accessible and clean, well organized place to do research. They also have a great variety of publications available for purchase. Drop by if you can, either on Sunday or the next chance you get.


Other upcoming events include:


Tuesday, March 17 2009
Norfolk Branch OGS Meeting at 2:00 pm at Smokey Hollow
Free Admission - A chance for Norfolk to do reasearch at the Library

Sunday, March 22 2009 at 2:00 pm
Free Admission - Speaker: Heather Ibbotson - Crime Stories


Saturday, April 25 2009
Spring Workshop - United Kingdom researching
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
$20 including lunch if paid before April 21, otherwise $25 at the door.

Sunday, May 24 2009 at 2:00 pm
Free Admission - A presentation by Cheryl MacDonald and Bob Blakely


Also:

1st Tuesday every month, 2009 - British Isles Study Group
7:30 pm - Free Admission

3rd Thursday every month, 2009 - Family History Group
10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Free Admission

Library Hours: open from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday to Thursday (Saturdays 1 PM - 4 PM, closed Fridays)

On Site: Publications, books, maps, family histories, microfilm, microfiche, reading tables, cumputers, internet.


Of special interest: collection of Women's Institute Tweedsmuir Histories of Brant & Haldiman County.

Phone Number: 519-753-4140 or 519-753-8581 Fax Number: 519-753-9866

Mailing address is:
Brant County Branch, OGS
114-118 Powerline Road
Brantford, Ontario N3T 5L8

An e-mail message may be addressed to one of the following:
Brant OGS (brantogs@bellnet.ca) or Donna (smokeyhollow@sympatico.ca) or
Bill (bill.bowman@sympatico.ca)

Another clue and a plug for Doug Mannen's book

As a further clue to the Mystery of the St. George Strawberry Festival, the "Snowball Mill," now home to the Brown Dog Cafe and the St. George Mill Animal Hospital, was built by William Snowball (hence the name). He began work on the Mill in the Spring of 1869 and it was completed approximately three years later. So, in order for Ashley Cooper to paste a handbill to one of the support pillars, it would have likely had to have been after 1871....

If you had read Douglas A. Mannen's book "St. George: From Bauslaugh's Mill to the Present," which was conveniently reprinted by the South Dumfries Historical Society and is now available for the very reasonable price of just $10 a copy, you would have been able to find out that fact.

The book is available at the Museum and also at the Brantford Museum on Charlotte Street and at the Classic Vault Emporium, on Main Street St. George (Thanks to Jean Hastings, who regularly brings us in the proceeds from the sale of these books!)

You can learn all sorts of interesting things about St. George in this book and see a great photo of the Old Mill from 1907 on page 53.

How our neighbours in Waterloo support local history

Here in Brant County, the Council currently has a committee considering a staff recommendation to declare as surplus the buildings housing the Harley Museum (Burford Township) and the St. George Museum (St. George Memorial Hall) as well as the St. George Old School and several other community halls.

In that context, it might be interesting to compare that with what our neighbours in the Region of Waterloo are doing to support local history. Below is the text of a fact sheet describing the Regional History Museum project they are undertaking at a budgetted cost of $26 million dollars....

The SDHS doesn't really expect or believe that Brant County would spend $26 million on a similar project, but closing the museum and putting the collection into storage doesn't sound like a great way to promote local heritage.


Region of Waterloo History Museum Fact sheet – July 2008

Regional History Museum Facts

The vision for a community museum was first stated in 1912 by the Waterloo Historical Society and has been in the Region of Waterloo’s capital program since 1988.

A feasibility study approved in principle by Regional Council in mid-2007 recommended that a
Regional history museum, combined with visitor orientation to the living history village, be built at Doon Heritage Crossroads.

The overall project budget for the Region of Waterloo History Museum is $26 million; a $2 million grant has been received from the Government of Canada through the Cultural Spaces Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The architects for the museum are Moriyama + Teshima of Toronto in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership from Kitchener.

The museum will be located at the intersection of Homer Watson Boulevard and Huron Road in
Kitchener, at Doon Heritage Crossroads, on property owned by the Region of Waterloo.

The museum will create more than 1,858 sq. metres (20,000 sq. ft.) of permanent and temporary gallery space; the entire building will be 4,366 sq. metres (47,000 sq. ft.) in size.
Building orientation and design considerations include: views from Homer Watson Boulevard and
from the living history village; public use; accessibility; respect for the existing village, the natural environment, and the neighbours; sustainability and energy efficiency; and exhibit planning.

The museum exhibits will tell the stories of this region, and will improve access to the more than
43,000 artifacts in storage at the Doon Heritage Crossroads CuratorialCentre. Building construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008 and continue into early 2010. Exhibit
fabrication and installation will start in spring 2010 and will continue through November 2011.
Many groups will be consulted about the exhibit plans and community stories as this work
progresses.

The new museum building will be designed and constructed to the Canada Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Standard in accordance with Regional policy for all new construction projects. Public consultations for the building design were held in Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo in April 2008.

The museum building is being designed to be fully accessible through consultation with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee.

What can you do to support the museum?

Check our website for updates on the project.
Talk about the project with others in your organization.

Visit the museum’s website at: www.region.waterloo.on.ca/museum
Email us at: newmuseum@region.waterloo.on.ca

To respond or obtain more information, contact
Tom Reitz, Manager/Curator
Doon Heritage Crossroads
519-748-1914 ext. 3270
rtom@region.waterloo.on.ca

In Memory of Joyce Wehrstein

Joyce Wehrstein, who was named the Honourary President of the South Dumfries Historical Society upon its founding, passed away on Christmas Day, 2008. A service in her memory - or more accurately a celebration of her life - was held at the St. George United Church.

Her son John Wehrstein invited several people to speak at the service - representing different aspects of her life - as a neighbour, as a teacher, as a friend, as an actress. Ruth Lefler, a friend and fellow local historian, spoke about Joyce's great contribution to local history.

With Ruth's permission, here is the text of her eulogy:

Joyce Wehrstein

Joyce - THE historian of her beloved St. George

For five generations the Lawrason family has worked and given to this community and to the County of Brant.

Joyce continued that tradition.

At the end of Joyce's living room stands a special pine medicine cabinet of which she was very proud. It tells the story of her Uncle John who, as a veterinarian, mixed medications for the animals from the containers that are still held in this cupboard. The sight and smell of this cupboard have lingered well into history.

Joyce was the person that people sought out when looking for local historical information. She was always gentle and wise, gracious and willing to share her knowledge and rarely did they leave disappointed.

When the Old St. George Public School was closed in the early 1970's, Joyce was among those concerned citizens in the community who were able to convince the School Board to turn the building over to the former Township of South Dumfries. Joyce and Melva Jackson then proceeded to establish a local museum in a second floor classroom.

For over 15 years Joyce was a member of the Brant Historical Society. It was during this time that she and other members edited the Jean Waldie Papers to produce two volumes of her work entitled "Brant County, A Story of Its People". These books are still used extensively by researchers.

When Mike Hand wrote his book about the Lorimer Brothers of St. George who invented the machine telephone, it was Joyce who acted as the catalyst. She knew Egbert Lorimer's granddaughter and invited her and Mike to meet at her home to discuss archival material and valuable photographs.

In 2002, when I co/authored the sesquicentennial book about Brant County, my first stop, when researching South Dumfries Township history, was with Joyce. I was not dieappointed.

Joyce's interesting historical talks were often accented by her poems that were written in rhyming couplets. Whenever she was complimented about these, her reply was "Oh they're just dogeral".

It was a joyous occasion when Joyce was recognized by the Ontario Heritage Trust and the County of Brant for outstanding historical endeavours in her community. This recognition was well deserved.

When the South Dumfries Historical Society was formed in 2003, a wise choice was made in appointing Joyce as honourary president. It wasn't but a few days before Joyce's passed away, that I had a St. George historical question that Joyce had answered a long time ago. I didn't write it down and my mind has let the details slip. Will I now ever find the answer?

Joyce - thank you for the valuable legacy that you have generously given and left with this community.

Dr. Henry (Hank) Hedges

This coming Tuesday, February 17th, Dr. Henry Hedges will be one of four people recognized by the County of Brant for their contributions to local heritage. For some background as to why Dr. Hedges is so deserving, I have been given permission from Ruth Lefler to post the submission she made to the province in support of Hank receiving an Ontario Heritage Trust recognition certificate and achievement pin.


Dr. Henry Hedges

The Heritage Committee of the County of Brant nominates Dr. Henry Hedges in the Natural History category for his leadership in the protection of this heritage. Throughout his life, he has always been keenly aware of our environment and has sought ways to preserve and protect it.

In 2004, three men, one of whom was Dr. Hedges, volunteered to initiate, develop and carry out the plan to plant 10 foot sugar maple trees along the roadsides of the County of Brant. For protection, all trees are planted five feet inside the fence lines. To date, 1 000 trees have been planted by students who volunteered from the Environmental Leadership class at Paris District High School. The project replicates the Government of Ontario's tree planting of 100 years ago. This significant project emphasizes the importance of trees to our environment.

To increase the numbers of Bob White Quail and Rig Necked Pheasants, Dr. Hedges has raised them on his farm and then has released them into their natural environment.

As a preservationist and educator, Dr. Hedges promotes natural heritage through his many slide presentations. One example is his Southern Ontario Wildflower presentation where he not only shows and explains the environment needed for them to grow but, also points out the problems these plants have with the draining of the wetlands and the clear cutting of the forests.

As a keen environmentalist, Dr. Hedges understands the necessity for conservation and acts upon it through his ideas and actions.


Nearly one year earlier, in February of 2008, Dr. Hedges was awarded by the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the province’s highest recognition for seniors.

The Ontario Senior Achievement Awards recognize seniors over the age of 65 who have made significant contributions to their communities through voluntary or professional activities.

Dr. Hedges was recognized as an "author, avid gardener and leading authority on horticulture."

We are also pleased to have Dr. Hedges as a member of our Historical Society.

Some Clues to help solve the Mystery of the St. George Strawberry Festival

 

Here are some clues to help solve the mystery posted a few days ago.

 

First of all, the handbill refers to Ashley Cooper, superintendant of the Sabbath School.

 

The cemetery in St. George has two "Ashley Coopers" buried in it.

 

Murray E. Fair compiled a list of all the tombstones that can be found at the IntermentNet.com website: 

http://www.interment.net/data/canada/ontario/brant/south_dumfries/stgeo_uc/george_ce.htm

Saint George Cemetery (Saint George UC Cemetery)
St George, South Dumfries, Brant County, Ontario, Canada: 

Cooper, Ashley, b. 1842, d. 1922

Cooper, Ashley, d. 27 Aug 1840, 81 yrs

Another source for clues can be found in the "History of St. George United Church" available at:

http://comdir.bfree.on.ca/stgeorge/History01.html

 

(The author is not credited, and I would like to give credit if someone could let me know)

 

Here is some of the story:

Early History

Methodism was first on the scene in 1831 followed by Presbyterianism the next year and finally in 1925 Union was achieved and the St. George United Church has been active ever since.  In those very early days when Methodism held sway, residents -- settlers if you will --around the Village of St. George were eager for religious experience and spiritual guidance.

So it was that in 1831, a circuit rider rode through bush country along a trail only a horse could follow, called on a few settlers, asked them to meet for a church service at Tykerts Schoolhouse, about a mile northeast of St. George, and the first Methodist services commenced in the district. A frame church was erected at the site of what is now the United Church Cemetery in about 1840. In 1867 with Rev. James Harris as pastor, the first organ was placed in the church. In 1869 the foundation stone of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, on Main Street, was laid and 10 years later came dedication of a new stone and white brick church.

The circuit rider mentioned earlier was Rev. G. Ferguson and his field of labour extended into the County of Waterloo. The St. George Circuit included St. George, Sheffield, Branchton, Tranquliity, Germans, Steel's, West's, and Harrisburg. Between 1867 and 1925, revival meetings and Camp meetings characterized early Canadian Methodism and, as far as the church itself was concerned, it seated 400, the men and women sitting on opposite sides of the sanctuary. Following Rev. James Harris there were a number of preachers with some conducting Union Evangelistic services around 1900.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(visit the website for this part of the story!)

THEN CAME UNION!

As early as 1902, Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists were talking Union across Canada. When it was finally consummated on June 10, 1925, a great communion service was held in an arena in Toronto with 7,646 worshippers receiving communion and Church Union was hallowed.

 

The new Council following Union in 1925, included the moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, Dr. George Pidgeon. For all practical purposes, it may be said all Methodists and all Congregationalists entered Union. The Presbyterian Church entered Union as a church, with 17°/o of the congregation remaining outside Union.

In 1925, Rev. H.F. Deller became minister of the St.George United Church. It was a time of adjustment for both of the uniting churches, when they met to consider the methods of procedure, and elect the Session and boards of the church. The United Church congregation worshipped in the former Methodist Church on Main Street until 1929. In November of that year closing and opening services were held when the congregation moved to the renovated and newly decorated former Presbyterian Church on Beverly Street. The pipe organ was removed from the Methodist Church repaired and installed in the United Church.

 

The Methodist Church which was erected in 1869 was taken over by Sunny Hill Dairy and in 1964 the St. George Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion purchased and renovated the building, but in 1967 fire destroyed the 98-year-old church.

Finally, it would be helpful to know which historic years featured a "Saturd'y, July 1."

According to The Calendar Home Page's "Like Years Utility":

Years where July 1 lands on a Saturday (between 1831 and 1925):

Non Leap-Years:  1837, 1843, 1854, 1865, 1871, 1882, 1893, 1899, 1905, 1911 & 1922

Leap-Years:  1848, 1876 & 1916

 

 

Does that help a bit?

 

Let me know when you solve the mystery....

 

 

"Addie" will be at the February 27th Birthday Party

In August of 2007, the Cobblestone Festival of One-Act Plays in Paris presented the World Premiere of ADDIE: A PLAY ABOUT ADELAIDE HUNTER HOODLESS.

It was written by and starred Lin Geary in the title role. Her friend Brian Speagle directed and the South Dumfries Historical Society's own Joann MacLachlan was the "dramaturge."

It was great to see this towering historic character come to life on the stage - and reveal personal insights into the events that helped shape her life.

A character like Adelaide can get into your head, as they say, and Lin has continued to think about Mrs. Hoodless and rework her play.

She will be on hand during the Birthday celebrations at the Hoodless Homestead to give brief, costumed readings from her play throughout the afternoon. It will not be a formal, staged version of the play, but an opportunity to test out some new material and to perhaps improve some of the older scenes.

Guests can stop and watch for a bit and move along to allow others to stop and watch.

The birthday celebration is always held at the Homestead on Adelaide's birthday, February 27th. This year it is a Friday. Traditionally, the event involves cake, tea, coffee and guided tours and runs from 1 to 3 pm.

Details of the Birthday party can be found in an earlier post on this blog. Drop in and say hello to Addie herself! (and say hi to Heather the curator at the Homestead as well).


The Bio for Lin in the "ADDIE" programme from 2007 read:

Lin Geary of Paris is a retired high school English teacher excited about writing and performing her first play, “Addie,” for the Cobblestone Festival. She has acted, directed and written critical reviews for theatre in the past, but this is her first-ever effort at script-writing, and first-time performance at this festival.

In an alternate life, Lin enjoys visiting her children and grandchildren in Vancouver and Toronto. In September this year, she has been invited to perform as guest poet reading from her published work on stage at the Moonshine Café in Oakville.

Mystery of the St. George Strawberry Festival

This photo of a handbill for a Strawberry Festival was taken on February 7th, 2009 at the Open House for the new St. George Mill Animal Hospital. During renovations of the old Snowball Mill, this poster was found still glued to one of the support pillars that have been preserved.

The mystery is - when was this Strawberry Festival?

The clues are:

It happened on a "Saturd'y, July 1" (why they couldn't fit that one "a" in is another mystery....)

It was in support of the "Methodist Sabbath School" - so it was before the Methodist Church merged into the "United Church."

Ashley Cooper was the Superintendant.

and, Twenty Five cents went a lot further at the time...

Are those enough clues for someone to solve the mystery of the Strawberry Festival handbill?



The second photo gives a better idea of how the support pillars have been saved and add architectural interest to the Veterinary Clinic.



St. George Old Mill Animal Hospital:

519-414-0075

41 Main Street South
(2nd Floor)
P.O. Box 31,
St. George, Ontario,
N0E 1N0


Dr. Joanne Scherer
Dr. Vicky Callen

Heather Ibbotson to speak February 18th in Brantford

The Brant Historical Society is pleased to announce that Expositor reporter Heather Ibbotson will be the guest speaker at their February 18th Historical Society meeting. Heather an experienced, award winning newspaper reporter, author and genealogist will be presenting information she has gathered on the subject of Black History in Brant County.

Ms. Ibbotson is well known for her riveting stories of crime and passion which she investigates from Brantford and Brant County’s past. Heather showcases these real crime stories in a monthly feature in the weekend edition of the Brantford Expositor.

February is Black History Month so come and explore Brant’s past with this captivating guest lecturer.

The meeting will be held at the Brant Museum and Archives located at 57 Charlotte Street, Brantford, starting at 7:30 pm.

Refreshments to follow.
________________________________________

Joan Kanigan-Fairen Executive Director
Brant Historical Society 57 Charlotte Street Brantford, ON N3T 2W6

519-752-2483

www.brantmuseums.ca

Kids in Museums release their Manifesto

I heard a bit of an interview this morning on CBC Radio (Q with host Jian Ghomeshi) about a group started in the UK called "Kids in Museums." This is a group that was founded by a journalist when her two year old son was kicked out of a Museum (along with her and two other children) for yelling "Monster!" at an Aztec statue.

As both a father and as someone who advocates to try to get students into museums, a group called "Kids in Museums" is very compelling.

The history of the group and the groundswell of support it has garnered can be found at:

http://www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/about/

They have recently (February 5th) released a twenty point "Manifesto" and are asking museums and art galleries to consider signing up to endorse these statements.

It reads:

Our Manifesto

WE’RE DELIGHTED WITH THE NEW 2009 KIDS IN MUSEUMS MANIFESTO, compiled entirely from visitors’ comments.The 2009 Kids in Museums Manifesto is a practical and powerful tool to encourage and support museums and galleries around the country to make family visits more enjoyable and engaging.

Our Manifesto has evolved in the years since its launch in 2003, reflecting the ways in which museums have met the challenge and are increasingly giving families fantastic experiences.Here’s the latest version - have a read and see what you think.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions so that we can make sure the Manifesto keeps in touch with what’s going on already and what needs to happen next.

Kids in Museums Manifesto

1 Be welcoming - from the café to the curator. Emphasise the museum is family friendly in publicity and on the website.

2 Be accessible - with lifts, automatic doors, wheelchair-user friendly activities, and a place to store a pushchair. Remember not every kid or adult can do activities on the floor.

3 Give a hand to parents to help their children enjoy the museum. Don’t presume adults have been to a museum before. They may need support, too.

4 Be interactive and hands on - so kids can touch objects and learn to know what they’re allowed to handle, and what they aren’t.

5 Be height aware - display objects, art and signage low enough for a child to see. Footstools could help.

6 Have lots of different things to do - art carts, picture trails, interactive experiences, storytelling, dressing-up - for different ages, so parents don’t have to do all the work.

7 Produce guides and trails aimed at children, but also ones that kids and adults can use together.
8 Provide healthy, good-value food, high chairs and unlimited tap water.

9 Provide great toilets with baby changing facilities, where you can take a pushchair. It’s probably the one place in the museum every family will visit.

10 Teach kids respect - for the objects and other visitors. Help them to learn there are things they shouldn’t touch. Tell them why.

11 Sell items in the shop that aren’t too expensive and not just junk, but things kids will treasure.
12 Have free entry where possible, or have family tickets allowing re-entry. Don’t dictate the size or shape of a family!

13 Don’t make assumptions about what kids do and don’t like. Kids can appreciate fine art as well as finger painting. Consult with kids - not just adults or parents - about what they want.

14 Provide some open space - inside and outside - where kids can run about and let off steam.

15 Provide some quiet space, where kids can reflect and families can sit down together.

16 Don’t say ssssshush! Museums are places for families to chat, have conversations and discuss.

17 Don’t forget teenagers. They’re valuable visitors, bringing fresh ideas. Have a special place for them to gather and store their stuff.

18 Have dedicated family friendly days, when extra activities are laid on and those who want to avoid crowds can choose not to attend.

19 Remember there’s no typical family. Families can span generations, including toddlers, teenagers and grandparents. A visit should be enjoyable for the whole family together - not just the kids.

20 Remember the visit doesn’t end when a family leaves. Many families make a great effort to visit and want the experience to last. Have follow-up activities, including on the website, and invitations to come back.

You can read more about the group and its manifesto at:

http://www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/our-manifesto/

(If you would like to hear the interview, visit CBC Radio's Q website and follow the links to the podcast of past shows: http://www.cbc.ca/q/)

Fighter Pilots of World War II

 

You will have an opportunity, from your home, to learn more about what it was like to be involved in aerial battles during World War Two, when the local PBS Station, WNED, airs an installment of the HISTORY PROJECT entitled:

 

Churchill's Few: Fighter Pilots of WWII
Saturday, February 14th, 2009

at 11:00 pm



The program description from the WNED website:

 

"What was it like to see action during the pivotal Battle of Britain in 1940? The men who fought it -- veterans from both sides of the war – recall and reflect upon this dramatic turning point. In this moving documentary, they revisit the scenes of their wartime exploits. The film reveals the multiple scars of this brutal conflict – the soldiers' emotional and physical reminders as well as the losses borne by two nations and numerous families."

 

*  *   *  *   *

 

If the show inspires you to want to learn more, any talk of fighter pilots reminds me of when Wes Allen of St. George spoke to the SDHS one November about the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

 

(The Warplane Museum arranged for a Harvard to do a fly-past when we unveiled the World War II and Korean War memorial plaque on the St. George Memorial Hall on July 1st, 2006.)

 

The Warplane Museum is a place that has exhibits and artifacts that will interest both young and old.  It is quite close to St. George and open nearly every day of the year if you want to plan a visit.

 

Canadian Warplane Heritage
9280 Airport Road
Mount Hope, Ontario
L0R 1W0

 

The CWH has a very informative website at:  http://www.warplane.com/

 

For more information, you can contact them by email at: museum@warplane.com or by Phone: (905) 679-4183

 

Here are some of the visiting details:

 

OPEN DAILY 9 am to 5 pm (CWHM is open year-round, closed only on Christmas Day and New Years Day).

Admission is: $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Seniors, $9.00 Students (13 - 17), $6.00 Child (6 - 12), children 5 and under free.

Please Note: If you are coming to see a particular aircraft in the collection, it may be one of the flying aircraft. Please call (905) 679-4183 between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm to be sure that 'your aircraft' will be here on display. The airshow season is primarily between May and November.

Directions from St. George:  Take Hwy 403 East. Exit Hwy 6 South. Follow directional signs. Look for the CF-104 Starfighter!

 

CWHM 2009 COMING EVENTS

February 14, 15, 16, 2009 - Family Day Kidsfest

February 22, 2009 - "Heritagecon" Model Contest

March 13, 2009 - M*A*S*H Theme Party & Dance

May 1 - 3, 2009 - Canadian Aviation Expo

May 29, 2009 - Lobsterfest

June 20 & 21, 2009 - Flyfest Weekend

August 9, 2009 - Buffalo Dedication and Peacekeepers' Day Ceremony

 

WALKING WITH JANE JACOBS

 

Coming up in May, a number of cities and towns across North America will be hosting "Jane's Walks" in honour of the late Jane Jacobs.

 

If we can get our act together, there could be one in downtown St. George on the May 2 & 3 weekend....

 

Jane Jacobs' ideas continue to influence the way cities and towns are planned out - which is relevant as Brant County considers where it might grow and how.  Her ideas could also help encourage us to find ways to continue to support and develop the things that make St. George special and a great place to live.

 

If you wanted to get some background on Jane Jacobs, it looks like an excellent opportunity will be a new television special airing on TVO in February:

 

Urban Goddess: Jane Jacobs Reconsidered

 

Here is the blurb on the program from the TVO schedule:

When Jane Jacobs died in 2006, Canada lost one of its loudest and most persistent urban voices. What Jacobs advocated is well known: short blocks, mixed-use buildings and diverse neighbourhoods. The livable city is an issue that directly impacts the quality of life of the majority of the world's population.

Looking at redevelopment disputes in New York and in Toronto that reflect many of the issues Jacobs encountered 50 years ago and at Vancouver, a city frequently put forward as a shining example of Jacobs' livable city philosophy, this documentary asks, "Is Jane Jacobs' legacy intact?" and, more to the point, "Is it still valid?"

 

The show airs:
Wednesday February 18 at 10 pm.,
Sunday, February 22 at 10:35 pm &
Wednesday February 25 at 1:00 am.

If you are curious about what a "Jane's Walk" is, here is a link to the website hosted by the Centre for City Ecology:  http://www.janeswalk.net/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Model Railroad Shows

I was never really into model trains as a boy. I did have a small set with tracks fixed to a big sheet of plywood - I wonder where that is now?

That being said, I hear now and then about gentlemen (and it is usually gentlemen it seems) who have elaborate train structures set up in their basements or running from room to room in their houses - disappearing through tunnels in the walls.... reappearing through another pass.

Occasionally I will see an article about these train sets in the newspaper. I recall that someone in Ayr has a great one from an Ayr News article.

I haven't made it out to a model railroad show, however, and I should change that in 2009. I likely won't get hooked or anything, but it can be fun to see what fires up other people's engines.

(It is also the sort of thing I would love for the St. George Museum to have - although now is not a good time to dream about such things when the museum might be put away into storage soon. We just had a man drop by the Museum last weekend wanting to know about trains that used to run through St. George.)

I asked some friends who are into trains about what might be coming up soon, and here's what they suggested:

The Copetown Model Railroad Show

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

Location: The Copetown & District Community Centre
1950 Governor's Road (just east of Hwy 52)
Copetown, Ontario L9H 5E3

(this is only about a 15 minute drive from St. George)

From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission $5.00
Displays of all Canadian SIG Groups. Sponsored by the Canadian Association of Railway Modellers.
Contact Info: http://www.caorm.org/

Looking into this a bit further, I see that there is a blog out there devoted to letting people know about upcoming Ontario model trains shows. If you want to be kept in the loop, visit: http://trainshows.blogspot.com/

Some other shows coming up that are within reasonable driving distance of St. George & area are:

Saturday, February 14, 2009
Dundas Modular Railway Club Flea Market
10 am to 3 pm
St. Paul's Church, 29 Park St. W., Dundas, Ontario
Admission $3., children under 12 free
Model trains, planes, cars, sailing ships, warships, die cast cars, books & photos, operating HO layout.
For more information http://home.cogeco.ca/~dmrc or 905-575-9326

Sunday, March 8, 2009
Thames Valley Modular Railroad Club's 20th Annual Show And Sale
Beattie Street, Lambeth
North from Highways # 401 and #402. First left past stoplights in Lambeth)
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Adults $4.00; Students $2.00; Under Age 12 Free
For more information call Bob Drake 519-269-9750 or email:
quakr1@execulink.com

Sunday, March 29, 2009 & Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Kitchener Model Train Show
Bingemans (Ballroom), 425 Bingemans Centre Drive.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission $4.00 per person; Children under age 12 admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.
For more information call Ian at 519-426-8875 or email toyshow@kwic.com

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Woodstock Model Train Show
Our Largest Show ever -- Expanded to Two Buildings
Oxford Auditorium and Mutual Building,
Woodstock Fairgrounds,
875 Nellis Street.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission $4.00 per person; Children under age 12 admitted for free when accompanied by an adult.
For more information call Ian at 519-426-8875 or email: toyshow@kwic.com

Woodstock also has a show scheduled for Sunday, October 18th, 2009.

So there - lots of good opportunites to get to one of these shows - let's see if I can make it to one.

New Canadian play follows the thrilling adventures of Robert and Phoebe Land

ARTWORD THEATRE PRESENTS RASCALS AND NUMSKULLS

Artword Theatre's second production in its inaugural season is RASCALS AND NUMSKULLS.

 

This new original Canadian play follows the thrilling real-life adventures of Robert and Phoebe Land.

 

Robert Land, a United Empire Loyalist, was a secret agent for the British army in the American Revolution.

 

Captured and condemned to death, he escaped the hangman and fought in Mohawk leader Joseph Brant's guerrilla army.

 

His wife, Phoebe Land fought an equally courageous battle protecting her family in the midst of a terrible civil war.

 

It's a story of heroism and endurance by ordinary people caught in a clash of empires.

Presented in comedy-style, the "Rascals and Numskulls" of the play's title are the American and British leaders of the time.

 

The play is being performed at The Pearl Company, located in Hamilton, Ontario's Landsdale neighbourhood, which is named after Robert Land.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

February 12-22, 2009 at 7:30pm (Thursdays-Saturdays) and 2:00pm (Sundays)

RASCALS AND NUMSKULLS will be presented by Artword Theatre at The Pearl Company, located at 16 Steven Street (at King William) in Hamilton, Ontario.

Tickets are $10 on Thursdays, and $20 for adults/$15 for students and seniors on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Box Office:  905-548-0341

ARTWORD THEATRE AND THE PEARL COMPANY

Artword Theatre, the creative team of director Ronald Weihs and designer Judith Sandiford, has been producing original theatre since 1993. Weihs and Sandiford operated a facility in downtown Toronto, until their theatre was closed to make way for a condo in 2006. After 12 years in downtown Toronto, Artword moved to Hamilton teaming up with Gary Santucci and Barbara Milne at The Pearl Company.

Website: www.artword.net

The Pearl Company is an arts and performance facility owned by guitarist and composer Gary Santucci and arts activist Barbara Milne. Renovated in 2006, the facility has devoted two of its three floors to the arts. The Pearl Company has launched a number of arts initiatives, including the well-known Art Bus two Fridays a month, the Opus Mundi Festival, theatre workshops and productions, concerts and events and outdoor festivals.

Website: www.thepearlcompany.ca

Does Music Trivia Count as History?

 

What is a plug for the The St. George Legion's monthly fish fry on Saturday, February 7th from 4:30 p. m. to 7 p. m. followed by Music Trivia from 7:30 p. m. to 10:30 p. m. doing on a Historical Society blog? 

 

Well... music trivia is history arguably - it is stuff you have to try to sift through years of memory to retreive...

 

It isn't stuffy history and it is rarely local history, but the competitions are often heroic and "history in the making."

 

We should try to design a round of questions sometime with local singers - a young David Pickett, some country music from Carolyn Reed, our Hideaway rock superstar Gary Gray.... 

 

The Fish Fries have also become part of St. George culture.   Meals are: Adults $7. Seniors $6. Children $4. All are welcome - you don't need to be a Legion member for this.

 

Admission is free for the Music Trivia.  It is an adult-only event as there are mature refreshments being served at the bar.

 

The Fish Fry and Music Trivia run on the first Saturday evening of each month throughout the year.

 

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 605

9 Main Street North, St George

(519) 448-1462

 

 

"Who Are the Aboriginal People in Canada?" - 1996 film

An invitation has been extended to join members of the Haldimand Norfolk Cultural Association for a presentation by Carolyn King, member of the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) for Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand and Brant, and former Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

Ms. King's presentation focuses on "Who are the Aboriginal People in Canada?"

It includes a presentation of the 1996 film created by Native filmmakers who followed the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples on its journey to over 100 First Nations communities across Canada and heard from more than 3000 First Nations peoples. The film weaves the passionate voices of Indian, Inuit, and Métis people with the history of Canada's relationship with its First Nations peoples.

Spaces are limited. To register call Ruthven Park at 905 772-0560 or Email: marilynn@ruthvenpark.ca

COST: Non Members - $10 per person, includes refreshments.

Friday, February 27, 2009, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ruthven Park National Historic Site , 243 Hwy 54, Cayuga

9:30 AM - Haldimand Norfolk Cultural Association Annual General Meeting

10:00 AM - Presentations by CAROLYN KING on:
"The Relationship between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal People:
How did we get to the current situation?"

"No Turning Back" - A 1996 film created by Native filmmakers who followed the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples on its journey to over 100 First Nations communities from coast to coast and heard from more than 3000 representatives. The film weaves the passionate and articulate voices of Indian, Inuit, and Métis people with the history of Canada's relationship with its First Nations peoples.

Indian 101 – Presentation and discussion on: Who are the Aboriginal People in Canada?

Carolyn King is a member and former Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. She is the sole proprietor of JDI Business Services. Since 2006, she is Board Member on the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) for Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant.

Make Cheques Payable to: Haldimand Norfolk Cultural Association and mail to:
Ruthven Park, 243 Highway #54, Cayuga ON N0A 1E0

WESTFIELD HERITAGE VILLAGE - MAPLE SYRUP SEASON!

Sundays, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29;
and during the School March Break:
Wednesday, March 18th & Thursday, March 19th.

Times: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Westfield Heritage Village, not far from St. George - just north of the village of Rockton, is a picturesque place in the country where our past greets our present; and March is an exciting time of the year when the Maple tree yields its gift of syrup and sugar; a time-honoured tradition that is older than Canada itself.

Join the good people at Westfield Heritage Village for Maple Syrup Season - for a living history programme not to be missed!

Discover one of Canada's most time-honoured and delicious traditions. Explore the making of maple syrup from the tree to the table in three different time periods: the 18th century methods of Canada's First Nations, early 19th century pioneers, and modern times.

Families will join early Canadian settlers as they encounter the legends and techniques that surround the production of maple syrup; discover how Canada's First Nations' made syrup and sugar using a hollowed-out log and hot rocks; watch 19th century pioneers as they use the three cauldron method of preparing the sweet syrup and learn how the modern method uses the evaporator to make the delicious syrup. Families can also embark on an old fashioned horse and wagon ride through time; stroll through a rural 1860's village, visiting historical homes and shops along the way.

Enjoy the best pancakes in Ontario prepared by the St. George Lions Club.

(Pancakes are not included with the admission fee.)

For more details, visit: http://www.westfieldheritage.ca/maple.htm

Westfield Heritage Village
1049 Kirkwall Road,
Rockton, Ontario L0R 1X0

TEL: 519-621-8851, or toll-free: 1-800-883-0104
E-mail: westfield@speedway.ca

Adults $9.75, Seniors/Disabled $8.75, Youth 6-12 years of age $5.75,
Children 5 years and under are free. Parking is free.

Celebrate with the King of Paris - Hiram Capron

180 years ago, Hiram Capron founded the Town of Paris.

Ruth Lefler has done a full page profile on Mr. Capron in the January 31st, 2009 issue of the Brantford Expositor.

(You can view this article online for free at the Expositor website until February 6th -
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1413639).

If you want to know more about Mr. Capron and the town he founded, what better place than the Paris Historical Society Museum & Archives?

They have invited everyone to attend Hiram (King) Capron's 213th birthday party on Saturday, February 7th, 2009, from 2 p. m. to 4 p. m. at the Museum, 15 Curtis Avenue North, Paris. Hiram himself is planning to attend apparently!

For more details on our neighbours who preserve Paris' history, visit their website at:

http://www.parishistoricalsociety.com/

Their hours are Tuesday - Friday, from 1 pm to 5 pm, or by appointment.

You will find details on the website on how to become a member as well - for only $10 per year - and it is a good time of the year to consider, since their membership year runs from February 28th to March 1st the next year.

Mr. Capron has his own Provincial marker, located in front of his former home, 8 Homestead Road, Paris :

"King" Capron 1796-1872

In 1829, Hiram Capron purchased land at the Forks of the Grand and divided it into town lots. His leadership in developing the village of Paris earned him the nickname "King".

(He was born in Leicester, Vermont, by the way.)

Premiers' Gravesites Program

Honouring Ontario's Premiers

(from the Ontario Heritage Trust website:  http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/)

In 2007, the Ontario Minister of Culture announced funding for the Premiers' Gravesites Program. Because of its experience with the Provincial Plaque Program, the Ontario Heritage Trust was chosen to design and implement this exciting new program. It is only fitting that the Trust manage this gravesite project as an extension of its commemorative role.

The Trust will deliver the Premiers' Gravesites Program to mark and commemorate the gravesites of Ontario's former premiers in chronological order based on each premier's term of service.

The gravesites are located throughout the province. The Trust will work with communities, cemetery boards and descendants to unveil each bronze marker. In addition to the markers, the program will commemorate each premier's gravesite with the provincial flag, in accordance with the rules of the individual cemeteries and archaeologists.

This special commemorative program is another way that the Trust honours significant people in Ontario's history.

How does this program differ from the Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque or Local Marker programs? Each of the Trust's commemorative plaque programs has a specific plaque and purpose. The Provincial Plaque Program is an adjudicated program that uses distinctive blue and gold plaques to commemorate and interpret significant people, places and events in Ontario's history. These stories always have a broader provincial significance. In addition to provincial plaques, the Trust also supports communities through local markers to commemorate people, places and events that have more of a community focus. Both the Provincial Plaque and Local Marker programs accept applications from the public. The Premiers' Gravesites Program, however, is specific to the burial places of Ontario's premiers. The purpose of the Premiers' Gravesites Program is to honour Ontario's former premiers and their service to Ontario by marking their gravesites. Specially designed bronze markers will be inscribed with the individual premier's name and dates of service. How did the Trust choose which premier to honour first? Eighteen premiers will be commemorated through this marker program, starting in November 2008. The program will be implemented over five years in chronological order based on each premier's term of service. The first to be commemorated will be The Honourable John Sandfield Macdonald (who served as premier from 1867-71), in St. Andrews, near Cornwall. What is the schedule for the unveiling events for the gravesites of Ontario's premiers? The program will be implemented over five years. The Trust will work with cemeteries or cemetery boards, communities and descendants, where possible, to determine a suitable date for each event.   Do all of the premiers have provincial plaques commemorating them? Fourteen of the 18 deceased premiers have had provincial plaques unveiled to honour them. These plaques are located at sites related to a premier's original riding and/or place of birth. Locations include: municipal parks, residences, museums, schools, county courthouses and churches. Will there be anything in addition to the gravesite markers included in this commemoration program? The intent of the program is to commemorate each premier's gravesite with a bronze marker and the Ontario flag, in accordance with the rules of the individual cemeteries and archaeologists.     The Honourable Harry Corwin Nixon (Premier May to August 1943) Date of unveiling: To Be Confirmed Bio: Born in St. George, Harry C. Nixon was Ontario's thirteenth premier. While his term in the premier's office – three months – is the shortest on record, he was the most experienced Member of Provincial Parliament ever, serving 42 years. He was a key policy maker, especially in the government of Mitchell Hepburn. After the resignation of Gordon Conant, Nixon was elected leader and took over the premiership. The Liberals were defeated in the election three months later, but he retained his seat until his death in 1961.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S ONTARIO HERITAGE AWARDS

Fred Bemrose, of Paris, will receive a Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement this month.

Brant County Council will recognize these lifetime contributions at its February 17th meeting.

Also that night, Hank Hedges, Enid Horning and Marion Sheridan will receive Ontario Heritage Trust recognition certificates and achievement pins for their heritage work.

If you can attend to show your appreciation that would be great.

Here is some background on the awards from the Lieutenant Governor's website:

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S ONTARIO HERITAGE AWARDS

The Honourable James K. Bartleman established these awards in 2007, in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust, to recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to the preservation of Ontario's heritage. The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement, awarded through a special category in the Trust's Heritage Community Recognition Program, recognizes individuals who have made sustained volunteer contributions to preserving, protecting and promoting community heritage over a period of 25 years or more. The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement, awarded through the Trust's annual Young Heritage Leaders program, recognizes the most exceptional youth group in each of the built, cultural and natural heritage nomination categories, and the most outstanding individual nominee across all categories. For inquiries, contact 416-314-4907 or visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca.

The Story of Gordon Rosebrugh Holder (1921-1945)

GORDON ROSEBRUGH HOLDER (1921 - 1945)

 

February is a good time to pause and remember the life of Gordon Rosebrugh Holder - a young St. George man who served his country and was killed in Second World War.

 

His story is told as part of the McMaster University Alumni Honour Roll Project.  This project has been lead by Charles M. Johnston, Professor Emeritus of History, who was one of the first speakers to address the South Dumfries Historical Society after it was formed.

 

Gordon was born on January 31st, 1921 and died on February 19th, 1945 - which is partly why February is such an appropriate time to remember him.  His story does not have a happy ending, but Dr. Johnston does a nice job of telling the story of his short life and the context in which it was lived.

 

For more about the Project, visit the website at: 

 

http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/about_ww2.html

 

For Gordon Rosebrugh Holder's story, visit:

 

http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/honourRoll/holder.htm

 

 

Addie's Birthday - February 27th - always a great party!

This year the birthday of Adelaide Hunter Hoodless will be celebrated on Friday, February 27th, 2009! Please join the good people of the Hoodless Homestead for an afternoon historic house tours, fellowship and birthday cake!

The Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead, is a National Historic Site recognizing the birthplace and childhood home of one of Canada's most eminent citizens!

Adelaide was born on February 27, 1857 and died on the eve of her birthday in 1910.

The Homestead is owned and operated by the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada.

The Homestead is located in Brant County, Ontario on the outskirts of the village of St. George: if you are coming from the East, take Highway 5 /Beverly Street and continue through St. George and across Highway 24 - the name of the road become Blue Lake Road on the other side of Hwy. 24 - the Homestead is a short distance along on the right hand side.

For more details, visit the Homestead website at:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/hoodlesshomestead1/AHH.htm

CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 519-448-1130
Fax: 519-448-1150
Email: hoodlesshomestead@gmail.com

Street Address:
359 Blue Lake Road, St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 209, St. George, Ontario, N0E 1N0