Wednesday, December 15, 2010

David Judd talk about Christmas 1910 tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Myrtleville House

David Judd will be giving a talk about Christmas 1910 this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Myrtleville House in Brantford as part of the Brant Historical Society speaker series.

David has established a tradition of researching and reporting on the Christmas habits of people 100 years ago - through evidence of newspaper articles and advertisements and other sources. He will have a richly illustrated and often humourous take on the season.

Myrtleville House is located at 34 Myrtleville Drive in the northeast end of the City of Brantford, near Northridge Public Golf Course.

The closest bus routes are 8 and 15. Exit on Woodlawn Ave, and walk north on Ewing Drive or Tanbark Way to reach Myrtleville Drive.

Admission is free and would still be a bargain at twice that price.

Doors open at 7:00 pm for the talk.

EXPERIENCE 100 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS AT 3 NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES

Battlefield House Museum & Park - former home of Mary Gage (1777 1853) and her 10 children

Dundurn Castle former home of Mary MacNab (1812 1846) and her children

Whitehern Historic House & Garden former home of Mary McQuesten (1849-1934) and her six children

SPECIAL OFFER – FOR A “MARY” CHRISTMAS!

Purchase admission, or present an online admission voucher to Dundurn Castle between November 27, 2010 and January 2, 2011 and receive complimentary admission vouchers for Battlefield House Museum & Park and Whitehern Historic House & Garden. Vouchers valid for use from November 27, 2010 to January 2, 2011.
________________________________________

Victorian Christmas
at Dundurn National Historic Site

Enjoy the beauty of a mid-19th century family Christmas celebration at Dundurn Castle. The Garden Club of Hamilton decorates the Castle in Victorian splendour with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers. Bring your family and share a Hamilton holiday tradition.

Date: Saturday, November 27, 2010 to Sunday, January 2, 2011 (Closed Mondays)
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular admission rates apply to the museum.
________________________________________

Christmas in the Pioneer Spirit
at Battlefield House Museum & Park

Join us for an early 19th century family Christmas; where a crackling fire warms you, evergreen boughs bedeck the mantles and enticing smells fill the air.

Date: Saturday, November 19, 2011 to Saturday, December 31, 2011
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular admission rates apply to the museum.
________________________________________

The McQuesten's Childhood Christmas
at Whitehern Historic House & Garden

Enjoy this special time of year as the McQuestens look back on the Christmas of their childhood. Once a year we reveal the family's toys under a tree adorned with whimsical decorations in the style of the 1880s. The table is set with the China they used for Christmas and New Year's from the 1850s when they visited Grandpa, to the 1930s when Tom entertained his fellow politicians. Cedar roping and satin ribbon complete the picture.

Date: Sunday, November 20, 2011 to Saturday, December 31, 2011 (Closed Mondays)
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Regular admission rates apply to the museum.

Monday, December 6, 2010

'Twas The Night Before Christmas at Westfield Village

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Saturday Evenings Only ...
Dec. 4, 11 & 18, 2010
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Admission fees: adults: $11, seniors/disabled: $10, children 6-12 years old: $6.50. Children 5 and under are free. Parking is free.

Tickets are available at the entrance kiosk on event days, or purchase your tickets online.

Experience Christmas traditions and childhood fantasies through theatre and food. The wonders and excitement of this festive season are revealed through these delightful self-guided lantern tours. Engage yourself in the picturesque setting of the historical farm and village.

Visitors can travel through time, experiencing the evolution of the Yuletide season through the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and World War I eras. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride and savour the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this unique holiday presentation. Entertainment, historical displays and demonstrations, tea house and gift shop, and over 30 period buildings. Group bookings available, regular admission applies.


Christmas Open House
Sunday, December 19
12 noon to 4 p.m.

Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas show, bonfire and celebration of the season where traditions of an earlier time are brought to life. Learn about Santa’s history. Runs from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. Admission fees: adults: $11, seniors/disabled: $10, children 6-12 years old: $6.50. Children 5 and under are free. Parking is free.


WESTFIELD HERITAGE VILLAGE
1049 Kirkwall Road (Regional Road 552)
Rockton, Ontario, L0R 1X0

Phone: (519) 621-8851
Toll Free: 1-800-883-0104
Email: westfield@speedway.ca

Holiday Lamplight Tours at the Bell Homestead

Holiday Lamplight Tours
December 11th and 12th
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

An evening visit to the Bell’s home at our favourite time of the year will enliven everyone’s holiday spirit. The Homestead and Henderson Home come to life amid the glow of candles and oil lamps while the aroma of Yuletide baking wafts its way from the kitchen and live musical entertainment fills the drawing room with the sounds of yesteryear. Admission by donation.

Also join us at our Café for Christmas dinner both nights $19.95 per person. (reservations required).


Bell Homestead National Historic Site
94 Tutela Heights Road
Brantford, Ontario
N3T 1A1, Canada

Telephone: 519.756.6220
Fax: 519.759.5975
E-Mail: bellhomestead@brantford.ca

“Ringing in the Holidays” Yuletide Celebration at the Bell Homestead

“Ringing in the Holidays” Yuletide Celebration
at the Bell Homestead National Historic Site

December 1st - 23rd
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Haul out the holly! A traditional Victorian Christmas abounds with plenty of garlands, greenery, and holiday cheer. See how many of our own Yuletide traditions came into being over 100 years ago.


Bell Homestead National Historic Site
94 Tutela Heights Road
Brantford, Ontario
N3T 1A1, Canada

Telephone: 519.756.6220
Fax: 519.759.5975
E-Mail: bellhomestead@brantford.ca

Victorian Farm Christmas on TVO

Here is program that sounds interesting - a reality show with some historical grounding:

VICTORIAN FARM CHRISTMAS

Centred around the Acton Scott Estate in Shropshire, this special holiday series brings historians Ruth, Peter and Alex from the hit series Victorian Farm back to the estate to tackle an array of new farming tasks. They discover in depth how the Victorians created the celebration of Christmas as we know it today – from
greetings cards and Christmas carols to the rich array of festive food they put on the table. Mondays December 6, 13 and 20 at 7 pm and repeating December 21, 22 and 23at 8 pm on TVO.


Episode 1:

The Victorian farmers - Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn - return to the Acton Scott estate in Shropshire to celebrate a traditional Victorian Christmas.

There's an enormous amount of farm work to be done on the estate in the lead-up to the festive season, including the hay harvest, to make food for the animals over winter. Having been thwarted last time by rain, the team anxiously monitor the weather.

Peter travels to the Royal Agricultural Society's annual show with sheep expert Richard Spencer to choose a new ram for the flock; back at the farm, Ruth makes mincemeat for the Christmas mince pies. She also prepares for the hoped-for hay harvest celebration with some essentials - bread and butter.

Monday, December 6 at 7:00 PM
This show repeats on:
Wednesday, December 8 at 12:00 AM on TVOnatario (Cable 2)


Episode 2:

The Victorian farm team tackle their biggest project yet: restoring the village blacksmith's forge. First they must make bricks to restore the chimney - a full five day and night process in which the farmer gets no sleep.

As winter marches on and Christmas nears, they must source a yule log: firewood to burn for the Twelve Days of Christmas. At the cottage, Ruth winter-proofs the house, making a paper blanket and remedies for chilblains, rheumatism, coughs and colds.

It is also a chance to begin preparations for the Christmas banquet in earnest - in particular, a very Victorian invention, Christmas crackers. Ruth enlists the help of Christmas cracker historian Peter Kimpton.


Episode 3:

Christmas is coming to Acton Scott, but first there's a huge amount of preparation to do. Ruth Goodman and food historian Ivan Day try their hand at making a Christmas pudding using the same methods as Bob Cratchit's wife in A Christmas Carol.

Meanwhile, Alex and Peter light the forge for the first time to re-shoe the farm workhorse Clumper - the first time a horse has been shod at this forge in over five decades.

Alex goes in search of a Christmas tree for the banquet, while Ruth and Peter head for the Victorian town of Blists Hill for Christmas shopping. At the cottage, Ruth meets Debbie Bamford to dye an array of colourful Christmas ribbons to decorate the tree and the presents that sit beneath it.

Finally it's time for the Christmas meal in the estate's School Hall. With a rapturous toast to Queen Victoria and a quick trip to the cattle shed to wassail the animals, day turns into night and the drunken Victorian parlour games commence. The next morning it'll be time for the team to bid a fond farewell to Mr Acton as they depart Acton Scott for good.



More information at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/victorianchristmas/

On this website Alex, Peter and Ruth show how to make your own traditional Victorian Christmas. There are 25 exclusive how-to videos, which are not featured in the television programme, with activities ranging from authentic decorations, arts and crafts to traditional 19th century recipes.

You can also learn how to play Victorian Parlour Games, sing traditional Victorian Christmas Carols and make your own toy theatre. All activities come with full instructions and downloadable materials to help you make your own Victorian Christmas.

The Presenters

Alex Langlands is an archaeologist and historian with a fascination for the British landscape. He has excavated numerous archaeological sites in a bid to understand agricultural practices throughout history.

Peter Ginn studied archaeology at University College London and has since been an archaeological digger, supervisor and teacher.

Ruth Goodman is a historian with a particular interest in domestic social history and its interpretation to the public. She spent ten years as a historical advisor to the Royal Shakespeare Company's Globe Theatre.

The team were also historians on the BBC Two series Tales from the Green Valley, which saw them running a Welsh farm using 17th Century methods. Ruth also appeared in the BBC Two programme Tales from the Banquet Hall where she helped to make a Tudor feast. The team are currently filming, Edwardian Farm for BBC Two.

The Farm

The Victorian Farm series and website content was all filmed on the Acton Scott estate in Shropshire. It is a world frozen in time, lost in Victorian rural England.

Its buildings and grounds are stashed with antique tools and machinery collected by the Acton family who have lived at Acton Scott since the twelfth century.

There is also a Historic Working Farm founded by Thomas Acton more than thirty years ago and located on the estate's home farm. It is run by Shropshire Council.

For more information visit www.actonscott.com.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Song list from the Korean War Dinner

Hello - For those who would like to recall all of the great songs performed on November 13th at the Legion, here is the list:

1950

BEWITCHED
MONA LISA
I WANNA BE LOVED
SOMEDAY
I’D’VE BAKED A CAKE
MY FOOLISH HEART
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME
HARBOUR LIGHTS
TENNESSEE WALTZ

1951

UNFORGETTABLE
COME ON A MY HOUSE
TOO YOUNG
ONE FOR MY BABY
RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET
LULLABY OF BROADWAY
COLD COLD HEART


1952

A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON
KISS OF FIRE
YOU BELONG TO ME
TENDERLY
TILL I WALTZ AGAIN WITH YOU

1953

YOUR CHEATING HEART
GET HAPPY
YOUNG AT HEART
THAT’S AMORE
SMILE

Congratulations to Shari Vandermolen and Steve McRae for another great evening of music and memories - and thanks to everyone who sang along!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sad news - Dr. Hank Hedges has died

Dr. Hedges played a great role in St. George - as a leader and as a supporter of community efforts - especially the Garden Club and the Lily Show, but also of the Historical Society. An earlier post on this blog gives background to the provincial honours he was given for his outstanding contributions. He will be sorely missed.

Here are the details from his obituary:

Dr Henry (Hank) George Hedges

HEDGES, Dr Henry (Hank) George - Born 1924 10 21 in Oyen, Alberta 5th of 7 children of William Andrew Hedges (1885-1928) and Ruth Naomi Danbrook (1890-1993).

Died 2010 11 07 in St. George, Ontario in his 87th year

Survived by: his wife of sixty-three years, Jean Hedges (nee Kinnin); by siblings Myrtle Stevenson and Bruce Hedges, by three children: Robert (wife Sandra Imrie) of Burlington, James (wife Nancy Sanger) of St. George, and Marjorie (husband Fiorenzo Landoni) of Milan, Italy; and by nine grandchildren who called him 'Pappa': Kimberly, Kate, Patrick, Nancy, Paul, Keltin, Spencer, Taig and Raffaele.

Hank was an educator, author, television personality and director of numerous organizations during his energetic career. He began teaching while a teenager in Windsor in 1942, becoming an instructor at Toronto Teachers College in 1952, then principal at Hamilton Teachers College in 1964 and retiring as a full Professor of Education at OISE/UT (University of Toronto) in 1986.

From 1958 to 1962, he appeared each Sunday as the host naturalist on the CBC's television program “Junior Magazine“. He authored and co-authored dozens of textbooks, research papers, manuals and films.

A life- long photographer, hundreds of his photographs and manuscripts have been published by the National Film Board of Canada. Hank gave speeches on a variety of topics, including some this year. He was a founding member of the Canadian Rhododendron Society and the Niagara Training and Employment Centre.

He served as a director on many boards and was the recipient of dozens of awards from all levels of government and private organizations.

For many, Hank was our rock, our inspiration, our moral centre, our patriarch and our best friend. He enjoyed a wonderful life, had an impressive list of accomplishments, had an eclectic list of interests, thoroughly enjoyed everyone's achievements, and continued to laugh and socialize to his last day.

He will be remembered as someone who made a significant difference in our lives and in the preservation of our environment.

There will be a family-only celebration on Friday Nov 12 at his home, plus a public celebration of Hank's life on Saturday Dec 11, 4-8pm, at the Community Centre, 7 Gaukel Dr., St. George, ON N0E 1N0, 519-448-1831. A buffet dinner will be served.

We'll be delighted to have you come to share your favourite Hank stories and pictures with his friends. Please contact robhedges@sympatico.ca for maps or further information.

In lieu of flowers, donations to your favourite charity in his memory will be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to McCLEISTER FUNERAL HOME.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Waterdown - East Flamborough - Upcoming Guest Speakers

Historical Society Programmes (January to April 2011)

All Public meetings are held at St. James United Church, 306 Parkside Drive, Waterdown, Ontario Fellowship Hall starting at 8:00pm.

January 28, 2011 Steven Sawell - “Into the Cauldron: The Experiences of a CEF Infantry Officer During the Great War;”

February 25, 2011 Chris Hamilton, Hamilton Conservation Authority on “50 Years of Preserving Historical Sites;”

March 25, 2011 Ruth Nicholson,UE, on the United Empire Loyalists;

April 29, 2011 Bishop Ralph Spence, former Anglican Bishop of Niagara and internationally recognized expert on flag design and history - on Heraldry.

More information at http://www.wefhs.hamilton.ca/

HERITAGE BOOK FAIR NOVEMBER 13th IN WATERDOWN

The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society & Archives
20th ANNUAL BOOK FAIR

Saturday, November 13, 2010

9:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

St. James United Church (Fellowship Hall)
306 Parkside Drive, Waterdown

Excellent selection of Local History, Local Authors,
plus Genealogy Supplies

Several New Local History Books available

Everyone Welcome
Good Home Made Lunches Available
Free Admission and Parking

Sponsored by The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society;
All funds raised will be used for the operation of the Flamborough Archives.


Special seminar – 11:00 A.M.

Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Vance (University of Western Ontario History Dept.)

"Remembering War: Past, Present, and Future"

As the two world wars go from memory to history, what role do they have in our rapidly changing society?

Seminar Room, $5 Entry

Brant Rural Heritage Tour

The Brant Rural Heritage Tour is new this year - running Saturday, November 6th, 2010, starting at 12:30 pm and returning at approx. 7:30 pm.

You are invited to discover Brant County's rural heritage with this one-day tour. Starting at the Brantford Tourism Centre, you will hop on a bus with stops at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead, Glenhyrst Art Gallery, Spruce Row Museum, and then you will finish the day with a delicious local food harvest dinner.

Admission: $50/person with bus, $35/person without bus
Wheelchair accessible: Partial
Handicapped Parking: Yes
Directions: Tour begins and ends at the Brantford Tourism Centre, 399 Wayne Gretzky Parkway.

Contact: Karen Dearlove
Phone: 519-732-1000
Primary Contact Email: karendearlove@canadianindustrialheritage.org

Thursday, October 28, 2010

An impressive recognition of Canadian history by McMaster University

A new award from McMaster to support books about Canadian history will certainly be appreciated by its winners. Equally impressive is the number of publications that the Dundurn Press has helped bring us over the years. Here is the news release from the McMaster website:

McMaster awards Wilson Prize to Dundurn Press

October 27, 2010


The Wilson Institute for Canadian History at McMaster University has awarded Dundurn Press its inaugural prize of $10,000 to support the publication of books devoted to Canadian history.

The Wilson Prize will be officially presented on October 27 during an evening reception at the University.

Dundurn Press is being recognized for its long and distinguished career of publishing popular works of Canadian history.

Founded in 1972 by Kirk Howard, the Dundurn Press has published a distinguished collection of biographies, natural histories, art histories, and books about Canadian military, political, and social history. Its list of more than 1,650 titles has reaped numerous awards for its authors such as the Governor General's Award, the Toronto Book Award, the City of Ottawa Award, and the UBC Medal for Canadian Biography.


The Wilson Prize is named after L.R. (Red) Wilson, a major supporter of Canadian history through Historica, which he co-founded. He also funded the Wilson Institute for Canadian History and the L.R. Wilson Chair in Canadian History. Wilson is the Chancellor of McMaster University.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

ST. GEORGE DRAMA CLUB PRESENTS "THE ATTIC"

"The Attic," written and directed by Elizabeth McCallum, features an all-star cast of St. George's finest amateur actors. The play features ghosts, laughs, songs, yuppies, punk rockers and bratty kids.

The details are:

Friday October 22 and Saturday October 23

8:00 PM showtime.

Tickets are a mere $6.00.

The venue: Upstairs at the Memorial Hall, St. George, 34 Main Street South (a few doors down from the St. George Arms English Pub).

The play is set in a town something like St. George - in the attic of an historic home with a magical music-box.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

NOVEMBER 13th DINNER REMEMBERS THE KOREAN WAR YEARS

The SOUTH DUMFRIES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Presents

AN EVENING REMEMBERING The KOREAN WAR YEARS

A Buffet-style Roast Beef dinner featuring:

Memories of the Korean War from ANDY BARBER
A crew member who served on
HMCS HAIDA during her second trip to Korea,

and

MUSICAL GUESTS:
SHARILYN VANDERMOLEN With STEVE McRAE
performing and discussing
songs from the Hit Parade of 1950 - 1953

Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at the St. George Branch, Royal Canadian Legion
(9 Main Street North)
4:30 pm Reception; 5:30 pm Guest Speaker

Tickets $28 advance/ $30 at the door if available (last year sold out)

Tickets at the Museum, 36 Main Street South, and at the Legion,
Or call 519-448-1053 (David) or 519-448-1075 (Cliff).


+ LEST WE FORGET +

Friday, September 17, 2010

ST. GEORGE APPLE FEST SEPT 18 & 19

The South Dumfries Historical Society will have a table on the Main Street during Apple Festival with recent brochures and some of the Brant Heritage Committee,s Bridge posters. We will share the table with the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead. The Museum will also be open for extended hours, so pop in and look around.

For more details on all the food, music, crafts, and fun of Apple Festival, visit their website at www.stgeorgeapplefest.com

1850 SPIRIT WALK OF PARIS - SEPT 18th

1850 Spirit Walk

Sponsored by the Paris Museum & Historical Society

Walk through time with knowledgeable guides and relive the history of the founding families.

Experience life as it was in 1850 through the tales and monuments of Paris past.

This is a Free event

The one hour tour begins at the memorial chapel in the Paris Cemetery at the junction of King Edward Street and Rest Acres Road

Date: September 18, 2010
Time: 2-4 pm

Donations gratefully accepted - proceeds for the preservation of Paris’ History

For information contact -Paris Museum 519-442-9295
parismuseum@rogers.com
www.parishistoricalsociety.com

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY - AT THE FORKS OF THE GRAND

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

Celebrate Ontario Public Library Week October 17- 24, 2010...

Join other history-minded folk at the Paris Branch Library on Sunday, October 24, 2010 to celebrate the re-release of At the Forks of the Grand Volume II by D. A. Smith. This seminal history of the town of Paris has long been out of print, but now is your chance to own a copy through this very special reprinting.

Order now and save! Pre-orders for At the Forks of the Grand Volume II are now being taken. Order both volumes I and II for $40, or pre-order a single volume for $22. After publication in October, each volume will cost $25. Then, pick up your books at the launch party, or at the Paris Branch after October 24th.

Sponsored by the Paris Friends of the Library.

County of Brant Public Library,
12 William Street,
Paris, ON N3L 1K7

Phone: 519-442-2433

ANCESTRY DATABASE WORKSHOP

ANCESTRY DATABASE WORKSHOP

Join experts at the Paris Branch Library for this two-part workshop designed to introduce novices to the Ancestry Library Edition Database. Use this library database to access census lists, birth / marriage / death records, passenger ship lists and more.

PART ONE: participants will learn the basics like how to organize information, how to do a basic search, how to interpret the search results, and the types of records in Ancestry like census lists, military records, and more.

PART TWO: participants will have a chance to learn advanced search techniques like rooting out hard to find information, using wildcards and quotations, truncation, and more.

Participants are encouraged to bring their existing family research with them to this workshop.

Space is limited; advance registration required.

What: Ancestry Library Edition Workshop
When: Part One: Wednesday, October 13 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Part Two: Wednesday, October 20 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Paris Branch
Cost: $5.00

County of Brant Public Library,
12 William Street, Paris,
ON N3L 1K7,

Ph: 519-442-2433

Friday, July 2, 2010

CANADA DAY IN ST. GEORGE

July 1st was marked with great music and lots of fun in St. George. The Firefighters and Lions Club started the day off on a great note with a pancake breakfast that served 1,000 or more people. They also sold out in many sizes of their Canada Day t-shirts.

On the Main Street, the music was great - from Cindy Alexander and Offsuit, Gary Gray & John Ludgate (who brought along two of his talented sons from the band Beautiful Nothing) and Barry Hussey and the Frisky Business Band.

Dave Thomson was up early to make sure the the road was closed to accomodate setting up for the event - and he helped trouble-shoot throughout the day.

Eric Bower and Dave Jensen worked hard to make sure the music all sounded great with the sound system they brought and assembled.

Howard Snodgrass and his crew assembled the stage early in the morning and came back promptly to take it down so that the Main Street could be reopened.

Paul and Jackie Long let people have a sneak peek at the Rustic Mug Cafe, while at the same time helping run the Charity Barbecue along with many other great volunteers on the day.

Cliff Jones had extended hours at the St. George Museum and Archives, which saw a lot of visitors, some book and map sales, and lots of comments in the line of "I have never been in before!"

Cindy Alexander's daughters and their friends organized the great children's games and contests on the street - from sidewalk chalk art, to sponge relay races, to dinosaur races!

Thanks to Shirley and Roy for donating a big bag of Canadian Flag fridge magnets as prizes - and to Entertainment Quest and the Ice Cream Shop for providing gift certificate prizes as well.

When the music wrapped up, and that was hard because Frisky Business didn't want to stop playing, the focus moved up to the Cenotaph. We were pleased to have members of the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party participate, as well as MP Phil McColeman, MPP Dave Levac, Mayor Ron Eddy, Councillors John Wheat, Steve Schmitt and Roy Haggart.

Nora Fueten lead a stirring rendition of O Canada, and then everyone lined up to enjoy the beautiful Canada Day cake donated by Trevor McLean and the staff of the St. George Foodland.

Thanks to John & Fiona Clarke, Betty Ames and Nora Fueten for helping serve the cake and refreshments.

The weather was perfect for the day and remained so into the night for a magnificent "Fire and Thunder" fireworks display courtesy of the St. George Firefighter enjoyed by thousands of people in King William Park.

I will have forgotten some people in this first attempt at summing up the day, and I apologize for that, but there was a lot going on and a lot of people helping to make it happen.

If you took part in St. George Canada Day and had any complaints, concerns, recommendations or compliments (!) please send an email to the Historical Society at dsimpson@bfree.on.ca so that we can continue to improve the event.

Happy 143rd birthday Canada!

**

ROBERT HALL PARRY CREATES HOODLESS KEEPSAKE

Robert Hall Parry is one of only a few Master Pewtersmiths in Ontario, Canada.

Robert Hall Originals, his showroom, has over 3,000 hand-crafted lead free pewter designs created in his studio in St. George at 138 Sugar Maple Road.

To help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Adelaide Hoodless, Mr. Parry has designed a pewter collectable keychain based on the sculpture of Mrs. Hoodless located on the grounds of the University of Guelph, in the Hoodless Garden between the Macdonald Institute and Macdonald Stewart Hall.

The sculpture of Adelaide is by artist Jan Noestheden, which he designed to be ‘larger than life’ and to ‘cast a shadow’, because those are ways that Adelaide could be described according to Catherine Stevenson, the recent interim curator of the Hoodless Homestead.

For more information:

On Adelaide Hoodles and the Hoodless Homestead: www.hoodlesshomestead.com

On Robert Hall Originals: www.roberthalloriginals.com

On the Hoodless Garden: www.uoguelph.ca/historicaltour/hoodless.php
(at this site you will find a photograph of the sculpture)

Monday, June 28, 2010

MORE ABOUT CINDY ALEXANDER & OFFSUIT


Offsuit is a Kitchener/St. George based rock n' roll band specializing in music that is recognizable across generations. They play songs from legendary artists spanning four decades with which everyone is familiar, but avoid the songs that most cover bands have overdone.


From Guns n' Roses and Pink Floyd to The Monkees, The Eagles, even Huey Lewis and the News. The set is an eclectic blend of favourites suitable for all ages.


Cindy Alexander - Vocals
Steve Goodwin - Vocals, Guitar
Kevin Randall - Lead Guitar
Mike Koch - Bass
Barry Briere - Drums


St. George's Cindy Alexander is also the CC in "CC & the Boys." She is a star on the rise in the jazz groove. She is an accomplished artist with credits singing lead for popular bands including The River Bandits, Offsuit and Nite Out. Her smooth styling's are hauntingly reminiscent of Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee with a little Mae West. CC recaptures music and feelings from a bygone era in a time when life was simple and pure. She crystallizes nostalgia into a heartfelt performance that delights both the young and the young at heart.


For more information about CC & The Boys and their new CD, visit: http://www.ccandtheboys.com/


MORE ABOUT THE FRISKY BUSINESS BAND

FRISKY BUSINESS appears on July 1st at 3 pm for a set of Classic Rock.

Band members are:








Barry Hussey - Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Andrew McLure- Lead Guitar and Back up Vocals
Mike Garbowsky/D.J. Hussey - Drums
Jeff Carter - Vocals and Bass
Ross Thompson -Vocals and Keyboard
Brett Hussey - lead Guitar
Kierstyn Garbowsky - Vocals and Flute


Frisky Business is a Classic Rock Cover Band based out of St. George Ontario.

The band is available for benefit shows, Private parties or just about any event for a nominal fee. Contact friskybusiness2009@hotmail.com for futher info.

Many people saw the band recently at the Devin Stubel fundraiser hosted by the St. George Legion in May - the Legion was packed for this great community event.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

CANADA DAY IN ST. GEORGE

CANADA DAY IN ST. GEORGE
THURSDAY July 1st , 2010

This year will mark the 8th year that the Historical Society has presented Canada Day festivities! Come out and enjoy a great afternoon of fun to celebrate Canada's birthday...

AFTERNOON EVENTS ON THE MAIN STREET:
Main Street will be closed between Beverly Street and High Street.

Main Street Contests & Games (1 – 3 pm)
For children and adults, including best Canada Day Hat & Outfit, Sidewalk Chalk Art, Hula Hoops & more – Prizes to be awarded! Check the door of the Museum or the website for details close to July 1st)

Music from Noon to 4 pm

Great pop/rock favourites with
CINDY ALEXANDER & OFFSUIT (Noon)

Hometown Music-stylist (and Hair-stylist):
GARY GRAY & FRIENDS (1:30 pm),

And fabulous rock hits with
THE FRISKY BUSINESS BAND (2:45 pm)

Bring your lawnchairs to enjoy the music.

ALSO: Museum Open House; Displays & Sidewalk Sales;
Benefit BBQ presented by the Downtown Merchants

FORMAL CEREMONY AT THE CENOTAPH CORNER:
Starting at 4 pm - Greetings & Speeches
& Birthday Cake (Courtesy of Trevor McLean & the staff of St. George Foodland)
& refreshments (Courtesy of the St. George Tim Horton’s)

Supported by a generous donation by STARLITE HOMES LTD. (Jack Speelziek) and ANNSPEL HOLDINGS LTD. (Debby Speelziek).

Main Street activities coordinated by the South Dumfries Historical Society.

Schedule of events subject to change, check the SDHS (this) website for updates at http://www.southdumfrieshistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

OTHER CANADA DAY ACTIVITIES IN ST. GEORGE:

Start the day with a pancake breakfast hosted by the St. George firefighters
at the Fire Station from 8 a. m. to 11 a. m. and, later, watch the
“FIRE & THUNDER” FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR!
At approx. 10 pm – at King William Park.
BRING YOUR LAWNCHAIRS!
LIONS CLUB BBQ STARTS AT 6:00 PM
(No other fireworks or sparklers allowed)
Presented by the St. George Volunteer Firefighters.
*
*

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Father's Day Steam and Machine Show at Westfield this Sunday

Father's Day Steam and Machine Show, 2010
Westfield Heritage Village, near Rockton, Ontario

Sunday, June 20th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.

Join the Rockton Antique Hobby Club and other hobbyists for a special day of steam and machines featuring steam traction engine rides, model machines, antique agricultural equipment, vintage cars and more. The Cambridge Spinners and Weavers Guild will put on a special presentation exploring dyes and weaving.

Muscle cars, vintage cars and antique cars are welcome and receive 2 free admissions.

Visit these other great steam and machine related museums: Stratford-Perth Museum, Northern Ontario Rail Road Museum and Heritage Centre, Niagara Falls Railway Museum, and the Elgin County Railway Museum.

PORT DOVER MARINE HERITAGE FESTIVAL: JUNE 18 - 20

Forwarded on behalf of Ian Bell:

Hi Friends,
Just a reminder about the Port Dover Marine Heritage Festival this weekend.
FOLK MUSIC - SWASHBUCKLING ADVENTURE - TALL SHIP - SMALL SHIPS - COLOURFUL COSTUMES - LOUD NOISES - FREE!

www.portdovermarineheritagefest.ca

Highlights Include: Pub Night 8:30 Friday in "The Brig" at the venerable NORFOLK TAVERN - Freshwater Trade "Rodney The Younger" (18th century conjurer) and open fiddle session "Battle On The Beach" Saturday 7:00 PM "Boy's Own Adventure" spectacle - Starring the brigantine St. Lawrence II, two 30' gunboats, artillery, redcoats, bluecoats and Lake Erie.

Concert Saturday 8:30 PM at the museum with British singer Richard Grainger & me. Daytime music Saturday & Sunday TETHERA will be playing songs and tunes of the British Isles on Sunday afternoon Come down if you can! Tell your friends.

Cheers, Ian

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Historic Griffin House open holiday Mondays

The Historic Griffin House in nearby Ancaster (Hamilton), Ontario has limited times when it is open to the public - only during the afternoons of holiday Mondays. With Victoria Day upon us, the home will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm on Monday, May 24th, 2010.

The house is at 733 Mineral Springs Road and was the home of Enerals Griffin from 1834 and he is believed to have come to Canada as an escaped slave by way of the "underground railroad."

Owned and operated now by the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority, it was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 2008.

Admission fees do apply. Adults $3, Students & Seniors $2.50, Children ages 5 - 12 $2.00 and a Family rate of $8.00.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Re-enactment of The Battle of Stoney Creek - June 5 & 6, 2010

Re-enactment of The Battle of Stoney Creek
June 5 & 62010
A Top 100 Event in Ontario

Experience the drama, pageantry, and excitement of one of the most important eventsin Canada's history. Bring the whole family for old-fashioned games, food, historicals demonstrations,musical entertainment, fireworks, and the Re-enactment itself.

Featuring:

- a 19th Century encampment
- one of a kind shopping
- food & refreshments

Saturday, June 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and
Sunday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Battlefield House Museum & Park,
77 King Street West, Stoney Creek.

Admission fees are $8.00 for adults and $2.00 for children
(Cost covers the whole weekend. Wristband provided).

For additional information, visit www.battlefieldhouse.ca,email battlefield@hamilton.ca or call 905-662-8458.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

An intriguing historical play in Paris - Queen Milli of Galt

Is Queen Milli of Galt the story of a well-kept royal secret ... or a Canadian fairy-tale about a strange royal marriage? Audience members will have to decide as they enjoy this witty romantic comedy, based on a true Canadian story!

Queen Milli of Galt, by Gary Kirkham, directed by Marion J. Smith and produced by Bonnie McCrae, was the winner of the 2004 Samuel French Canadian Playwriting Contest and is being staged by Paris Performers' Theatre with special permission from Samuel French Inc.

In 1972 the Duke of Windsor died while living in exile. Two weeks later, an 80-year-old woman living in Galt, Ontario, bought a tombstone and had it beautifully engraved with the claim that she was the wife of the Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII). That is, she was Queen Milli of Galt.

That part of the story can be proved as the tombstone still exists in a cemetery. In the play, a young journalist appears at the home of Millicent Milroy, a retired school teacher, trying to verify the circumstances of Milli's relationship with the former king of England.

Flashback to 1919 when the Prince of Wales tires of the pomp and circumstance of his tour of Canada and slips away for some private time. Prince Edward teases and charms his way into the life of a young school teacher, Milli. Is this part of the story fact or fiction?

The cast includes: Nicole Drake (Milli), Kelly Malone (Milli's friend Mona, an actress), Sandra Mann (Milli's mother), Trevor Wellwood (His Royal Highness, Edward, the Prince of Wales), and Roger Smith (Sir Godfrey, equerry to the Prince).

Tickets are available at the Green Heron Bookstore on Grand River Street North in downtown Paris.

Order tickets by phone at 519-302-0169.

Also, you can order tickets by emailing: bmccrae@primus.ca.

Tickets for Queen Milli of Galt cost $15. Pre-paid purchase of 10 or more tickets to a single performance cost only $12 per ticket.

Performances are held in the Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver Street, Paris, Ontario. The doors open one hour before curtain time and light refreshments and beverages are available. The facility is wheel-chair accessible and padded chairs provide comfortable seating.

CURTAIN TIMES
Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m.

Monday, May 17, 2010

ST. GEORGE ANTIQUE SHOW SEPT 4th & 5th, 2010

Announcing the return of the Village of St. George FALL ANTIQUE SHOW!

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND
September 4th and 5th, 2010

Saturday 10 am to 5 pm & Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

A St. George tradition for over 20 years.

We had to miss a year in 2009 because of renovations at the arena, but the Show is back and will impress again.

Quality dealers presenting a range of antiques;
Light lunches, delicious desserts, coffee & tea

Located at the St. George Arena (The South Dumfries Community Centre) -
Approx. 15 minutes west of Flamboro Downs Race Track on Highway #5

Admission $5.00 (under 12 free with an adult).

Plenty of free parking.

Stay and browse and then visit the shops and restaurants downtown, too!

For more information, call Jeff Stutley at (905) 659-1166 or email: sdhs@bfree.on.ca

Hosted by the South Dumfries Historical Society/St. George Museum & Archives

Celebrate the Navy 100 onboard HMCS Haida

The Canadian Navy is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Military Museum in Brantford is one place to explore to learn more about this branch of our Armed Forces. Another great place is close by in Hamilton, Ontario, onboard an actual ship!

HMCS Haida
National Historic Site of Canada

Hours of Operation (Open Seasonally)
From May 15th until September 6th
Open seven days a week – 10am - 5pm

September 7th – October 11th - Please call for hours

She is the last remaining example of the 27 Tribal Class destroyers built for the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy between 1937 and 1945. It has been said that The Tribals were "magnificent in appearance, majestic in movement and menacing in disposition".

Technologically, they represented the most advanced naval architecture, marine propulsion systems and weaponry of their time.

Once, HAIDA was a mighty fighting ship. Today, she is an irreplaceable historic artifact and her significance has been formally recognized by the Canadian Historic Sites and Monuments Board.

Not only is the ship historically significant, but she is a cultural asset representing a life style, however transient, of more than a generation of Canadians who served in Canada's Navy between 1943 and 1963.

The thousands of men who sailed in Haida represented a total cross section of Canadian society during that period.

Admission fees:
Adult $3.90
Senior $3.40
Youth $1.90
Family/Group $9.80
School Groups, per student $1.90

(Fees listed are valid from April 1, 2010 until March 31, 2011. Please check back on April 1 of each year for new and updated fee information. All fees listed include applicable taxes and are subject to change - and probably will change when the HST starts up.)

AppleFest at Ireland House Burlington - Sept 26th

If, God forbid, you should happen to miss St. George's Apple Festival, there is some consolation to be had in Burlington the following weekend at one of their nice museums - Ireland House at Oakridge Farm.

September 26, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

It’s an old-fashioned fall fair at the farm in the city! Enjoy the fruit of the season and take part in scarecrow making, pony rides and face painting. See antique tractors and, pioneer apple schnitzing and old-time apple cider making.

Artisans, music and live country-style entertainment all day! Plenty of apple specialties and a country BBQ! (Pancake breakfast 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m)

For more information visit or call:

Ireland House at Oakridge Farm
2168 Guelph Line
(just a bit south of Hwy 5/Dundas Street)
Burlington, ON L7P 5A8

905-332-9888

Joseph Brant Day in Burlington - August 2nd

Joseph Brant lives on in Brant County and Brantford as a namesake, but there is very little going on locally that commemorates and actively keeps his story alive.

In the city of Burlington, Ontario, they have Brant Street, the Joseph Brant Hospital and the Joseph Brant Museum - and every year on the August Civic Holiday they celebrate Joseph Brant Day:

August 2nd, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Celebrate the City of Burlington and one of the area's most famous original settlers—Joseph Brant Thayendanegea!

Come for an incredible line-up of music and entertainment at one of Burlington’s best parks!

Featuring:

Sophisticated Swing, a 19-piece big band orchestra that gets your toes tapping with their sparkling performance

The Lost Dancers of the Six Nations who engage you in a mesmerizing presentation of art, dance and Six Nations culture

Encampment and drilling demonstrations by The 22nd U.S. Infantry, Henderson’s Co., historic re-enactors who bring history to life.

Community exhibitors, a summer BBQ and refreshment stands, splash park for kids, fair-style games, crafts and hands-on activities, a treasure hunt adventure, artisans and vendors, the famous Joseph Brant Day Silent Auction and other attractions.

As well, on July 31, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. meet at the Joseph Brant Museum for a special evening celebrating the legacy of Joseph Brant.

Joseph Brant Museum
1240 North Shore Blvd. East
Burlington, ON L7S 1C5

For more information call 905-634-3556.

The Irelands renew their vows - and you are invited!

Sunday, June 6th
You Are Invited to
A Historic Ireland Wedding!
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ireland House at Oakridge Farm &
St. John’s Anglican Church & Presentation Centre, Burlington, Ontario

Become a member of the wedding party during the re-enactment of a historic Ireland Family wedding! Guests will follow the wedding couple through the ceremony of a wedding including: a wedding brunch, wedding shower, a visit at the family homestead (Ireland House), a marriage ceremony at church (St John’s) and a festive wedding banquet at St. John’s Hall!

Call Ireland House (905-332-9888) to join the wedding party!

Children /Seniors - $12.00 Adults - $15.00

Ireland House at Oakridge Farm
2168 Guelph Line
Burlington, ON L7P 5A8

http://www.museumsofburlington.com/ireland-house

Built between 1835-1837, Ireland House at Oakridge Farm was the home of Joseph Ireland, one of Burlington's earliest settlers. Emigrating from Bowes, Yorkshire, England in 1819 at the age of 27, he petitioned for land at Oakridge Farm and so began a legacy that continues today.

Joseph and his descendants occupied Ireland House until 1985. In 1987, the City of Burlington purchased the property from the estate of Lucie Marie Ireland Bush and established a museum, restoring the homestead to illustrate three distinct time periods that represent the generations of Irelands who lived in the house: 1850s, 1890s and 1920s.

Ninety percent of the furnishings are original to the Ireland family thanks to a generous donation by Helen Ireland Caldwell, Marie's first cousin. Restorations of the house have reclaimed missing elements of former times, bringing the Museum back to its feeling of a period home and farm.

The property consists of 4 acres of woodland, gardens, potting shed, cottage/drive shed, and picnic areas. Tours of the property, living historical demonstrations, special events and educational programs are offered.

St. John's Anglican Church
2464 Dundas Street, RR #1
Burlington, Ontario L7R 3X4

Southwest corner of Guelph Line and Dundas St. (former Highway #5)

Phone: 905) 336-5164
Website: www.stjohnsburlington.ca

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre event June 12th

The Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre will host a special afternoon event on Saturday, June 12th, 2010, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Laurier Brantford's Odeon Theatre (50 Market Street).

The event is free and open to the public.

Warren Stauch will give a talk on historic mills along the Grand River watershed based on the inventory of mills that he did for the Grand River Conservation Authority.

CIHC's executive director, Karen Dearlove, will make a presentation on adaptive reuse of industrial buildings in the Grand River Valley. She will examine the many ways industrial buildings have been reimagined and repurposed in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.

A discussion, featuring Elizabeth McLuhan from the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (Hamilton), Mac Swackhammer from the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, and Neil White, will consider the importance of preserving built heritage for understanding community history.

Guests will also get to see "Brantford and Me," a short film by Laurier Brantford journalism student Joel Tansey.

The CIHC will be launching a logo design contest.

The afternoon schedule will also include conducting the Centre's Annual General Meeting.

For more information about the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre, contact Karen Dearlove at karendearlove@canadianindustrialheritage.org or 519-732-1000.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Jane's Walks Preview on April 30th Inside Brant - Rogers Television

A heads-up for those with Rogers cable on their television, David Simpson will be one of the guests on "INSIDE BRANT" on Friday, April 30th to talk about the Jane's Walks of Brantford (May 1st) and St. George (May 2nd). The show airs live at Noon on Rogers Cable, channel 20, and then repeats immediately at 12:30 and again at 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 11 pm. Ted Lehman hosts this local newsmagazine and interview show.

DAVID JUDD TO GIVE HIS TRAIN WRECK TALK IN BRANTFORD

David Judd's talk about the 1889 Train Wreck in St. George was so popular that there was standing-room only! Over 90 people packed the Memorial Hall for his illustrated talk about this famous railway disaster.

Those in attendance can attest that David did an excellent job of establishing the context of the accident and researching all sorts of interesting details.

He will be reprising the talk for the Brant Historical Society on Wednesday, May 19th at 7:30 pm at the Museum at 57 Charlotte Street in Brantford.

Expect another great turn-out for this event as both the topic and the speaker are very popular!

ALSO: On Wednesday, April 21st, the BHS will feature the topic "Boats and Builders Along the Grand," with guest speaker Bruce Hill.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tales From Hillside House - reprised August 15th in Niagara Falls

Event in a Tent: Tales from Hillside House: The Nina Moore Jamieson Story Sunday August 15th 2 PM

Maja Bannerman performs as Mrs. Nina Moore Jamieson, journalist, novelist and poet. After her marriage to Norman Jamieson, Nina moved to his farm in Westover and later moved to St. George, Ontario. She came to recognition through her magazine articles depicting rural life. This one woman play was adapted by Joann MacLachlan based entirely on Jamieson’s writings. It premiered at the Cobblestone Play Festival in Paris, Ontario in 2006 with Ms. Bannerman starring in the role. Maja is thrilled to bring Tales from Hillside House to Willoughby Historical Museum.

Willoughby Historical Museum 9935 Niagara Parkway (at Weaver Road)

For more information please contact Maja Bannerman at 905-295-4036

http://www.niagarafallsmuseum.ca/events.html

President's Report for 2009

South Dumfries Historical Society
President’s Report for 2009

The South Dumfries Historical Society was founded in 2003, and we have grown to become an important and active part of our community. We work to promote both our local history and history in general through year-round events and activities and the operation of our community museum.

Board of Directors: As always, we have been blessed with a hard-working group of volunteer directors: Betty Ames, Cliff Jones, David Judd, David Simpson, and Gwen Hunter. Thanks are due to all for their efforts and dedication over the past year, and especially to those who are leaving the Board this year.

Speaker Series: David Simpson continues to find speakers to inform, entertain, and challenge us through our Speaker Series. Mavis Grey and John Clarke are kind enough to carry on with the task of calling members to inform them of events. Our appreciation also goes out the Firefighters and the County for the use of the Fire Hall for meetings.

Museum: The Museum continues to be open most Saturdays from 11 to 2, with extended hours for special events. This year we hosted the Brant Historical Society when they had their Volunteer Appreciation evening, and a special tour was given to young people from Crossing All Bridges Learning Centre. The Museum was one of the host sites for Doors Open Brant this year, attracting 80 visitors from near and far. Total visitation for the year was 443.

Membership: This year, we had 35 paid memberships. Please encourage your family, friends, and neighbours to join so that we can continue to protect, preserve, and promote our history.

Education: This year, we arranged for Kevin Sylvester, an award-winning author of sports books for children, to do a day’s programme at St. George-Germans School, followed by an evening speaking session. As well, we provided financial support to the school’s GEMfest programme, which brings arts and history educators to the school.

Partnerships: David Simpson has been our rep at meetings of the Brant Museums and Galleries Association, which facilitates communication between local sites. He has also been a member of the Brant Heritage Committee.

County Support: The County of Brant continues to provide the Society with a Heritage Grant, although the amount has been reduced compared to previous years. This has been an across-the-board decrease. We are also fortunate to receive in-kind funding with our facility in the Memorial Hall. County staff has also been extremely helpful when it comes to special arrangements for community events.

Joyce Wehrstein Memorial Fund: Thanks to the generous donations from family and friends, we have a balance of $755.00 in a special fund in Joyce’s memory. We will be meeting with John in April to determine the best use for the money.

Jane’s Walk: This year, the Society hosted the first Jane’s Walk of St. George. Inspired by Jane Jacob’s, a Toronto advocate of the “living city”, the walk is intended to inform people about the past and present of their community and how it works, and to inspire them to consider the future. This year’s walk consisted of about 60 people, a very pleasant surprise! Plans are underway for this year’s Jane’s Walk – mark May 2nd on your calendars.

Canada Day: July 1, 2003 was the first public event for the SDHS, and it continues to be our biggest event of the year. From a few speeches and a museum open house, it has grown into a community-wide event that everyone can enjoy. There were a number of changes this year. With the change of venue for the Firefighters’ fireworks display to King William Park, the construction at the Arena, and the canceling of the County’s Canada Day grant, we scaled back plans and concentrated on festivities on Main St. With a generous donation from the Speelziek family, we were able to Maintain a full day of activities for all. Thanks to all of our volunteers and helpers, especially the merchants of Main St.

Fall Antique Fair & Sale: After 6 years of running this fine show, the state of the economy and its effect on the antiques trade, coupled with the construction at the arena, caused us to cancel the show for 2009. This gave everyone a much-needed break, and let our volunteers and helpers go to the Fair instead! We haven’t yet decided what the status of this year’s show is.

Remembrance Day: The Society again sponsored a wreath for the Remembrance Day cenotaph ceremony co-ordinated by the Legion. We also held our second Veterans’ Memorial Dinner, which looks like it will become an annual event. The evening celebrated the upcoming centennial of the Canadian Navy, with a speaker from the Naval Reserves and a military-themed sing-along.

Memorial Hall and Old School: Both of these building have been declared surplus by the County, in anticipation that the ownership and operation of the buildings will be assumed by local community organizations. To this end, the Society arranged for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario to do a preliminary assessment of both buildings. In general, while both structures do have some inherent flaws due to their age, they are in reasonably good shape. In July, we held an Open House in the Upper Hall, and later in the summer, the Cobblestone Festival used the venue for part of their one act play series with much success, which we hope will continue this year.
An ad hoc group of interested people, tentatively called the South Dumfries Heritage Trust, has been set up to investigate the feasibility of operating one or both of the buildings. Both David Simpson and I are part of the group. We have expressed our interest to the County, and a business plan is currently being developed with the assistance of Enterprise Brant. Progress is slow, but this is not something that should be leapt into without some very careful planning and study. Please see David or myself if you would like to contribute in any way.

Volunteers: The heart of any successful community organization is its volunteers. Nothing that we do would be possible without the support and efforts of our dedicated volunteers. Whether it’s been all year long or for an hour or two, we greatly appreciate all that you have done to help put our plans into action. We are always looking for new ideas, new perspectives, and new energy. If you can help out, please contact any board member or drop by the museum. Thank you all!

Respectfully submitted,

Clifford T. Jones
President
Monday, March 29, 2010

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

JANE'S WALK OF ST. GEORGE, SUNDAY MAY 2, 2010

The SOUTH DUMFRIES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESENTS A

JANE’S WALK
of ST. GEORGE

SUNDAY, MAY 2nd, 2010

STARTING at the ST. GEORGE MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
(36 MAIN STREET SOUTH)

2:30 PM START - FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME

What is a Jane's Walk?

Jane’s Walk is a series of free neighbourhood walking tours that helps put people in touch with their environment and with each other, by bridging social and geographic gaps and creating a space for cities to discover themselves.

Since it’s inception in 2007, Jane’s Walk has happened in many North American cities: Toronto, New York, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Halifax, Guelph, Charlottetown, Thornbury, and Salt Lake City. More partner cities and towns were added in 2009, including Montreal, Regina, Boston, Chicago, Hamilton, New Orleans, and St. George!

Jane’s Walk honours the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs who championed the interests of local residents and pedestrians over a car-centered approach to planning. Jane’s Walk helps knit people together into a strong and resourceful community, instilling belonging and encouraging civic leadership.

All Jane’s Walk tours are given and taken for free. These walks are led by anyone who has an interest in the neighbourhoods where they live, work or hang out. They are not always about architecture and heritage, and offer a more personal take on the local culture, the social history and the planning issues faced by the residents.

Jane Jacobs believed strongly that local residents understood best how their neighbourhood works, and what is needed to strengthen and improve them.

Jane’s Walks are meant to be fun, engaged and participatory - everyone’s got a story and they’re usually keen to share it...

VISIT THE JANE’S WALK WEBSITE AT: www.janeswalk.net

Also consider the first BRANTFORD JANE'S WALK

SATURDAY, MAY 1st, 2010

Starting at St. Jude’s Anglican Church,
A National Historic Site of Canada,
at the Corner of Peel and Dalhousie Street

EXPLORING PART OF THE “EAST WARD” AROUND ALEXANDRA PARK

3:00 PM START - FREE ADMISSION - ALL WELCOME!

TOM KASTLE IN CONCERT AT PORT DOVER

TOM KASTLE IN CONCERT
At The Port Dover Harbour Museum

A Concert of Great Traditional and Original Music with a Nautical Slant

Saturday, April 10, 7:30 PM

Tom Kastle has spent over two decades "on the road" and "on the water" as a singer, a tall ship sailor and captain, songwriter, and a teller of tales, both personal and those steeped in tradition. He has toured throughout the United States as well as Ireland, Scotland, Poland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand delighting audiences and producing 11 recordings plus a soundtrack for PBS (WTTW Chicago).

In addition to touring, Tom enjoys using song and story in nature and environmental programs and holds a degree in Human Ecology. He has worked with institutions and organizations such as the Inland Seas Education Association, Friends of the Chicago River, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, schools and libraries across the country, and the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater founded by Pete Seeger.

After taking most of a year off to captain a tall ship in South Haven, MI, Tom has relocated to Madison, WI.

This spring Tom is doing some touring in Ontario and we are lucky enough to have him for an evening at the museum. www.tomkastle.com

Tickets are only $15.00 and are available at the museum or at the door
– 44 Harbour St.

Phone (519) 583-2660

www.portdovermuseum.ca

Hope to see you there!

Ian Bell
Curator / Director
Port Dover Harbour Museum

Monday, March 8, 2010

David Judd presents an illustrated talk about the St. George Train Wreck of 1889

The SOUTH DUMFRIES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESENTS A PUBLIC TALK:

DAVID JUDD
tells the illustrated story of

The St. George Train Wreck of 1889

The biggest thing that ever happened in St. George was the famous St. George Smash-up. On Feb. 27, 1889, two cars of a passenger train toppled off the bridge at the south end of the village. Ten people died and 32 were injured.

Like many folks who live in St. George, David Judd, a past president of the Brant Historical Society, wondered about the two concrete abutments on either side of the road at the south end of the village. He also had seen the famous photograph of a railway car tipped from a railway bridge, with a crowd of Victorian men and boys gawking in amazement.

The St. Louis Express was one of the fastest trains on the line. One February morning, it left London at 4:30 p.m. ….

To hear the rest of the story, join us on

MONDAY, MARCH 29th, 2010

at the ST. GEORGE MEMORIAL HALL
(32 Main Street South, next to the Museum)

7:30 PM START

(We will also be conducting the brief business of our Annual General Meeting)

FREE ADMISSION – ALL WELCOME

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Sad News to start 2010 - Shirley Swift has died

Shirley Swift has been a fixture on the Main Street of St. George for years.  The "Shirley" of Shirley's Antiques.  Her booth was always the first on your left as you entered our Antique Shows - a prime spot in honour of her quality furniture and her role in helping to establish and build the show the South Dumfries Historical Society has been so fortunate to take over.

Her husband Jack and her daughter Donna have also been great supporters of the SDHS and we hope that the community will offer them support during this sad time.

Here is the text of her obituary, with details of visiting and the funeral:

SWIFT, (nee Hinds) Shirley Doris - Peacefully with her loving family by her side after a long courageous battle, at the Stedman Community Hospice on January 9th 2010, in her 72 year. Beloved spouse and best friend of Jack T. Hacking. Loving mother to Robin Dawdy (Scott Parchem) and Donna Swift-Arabski. Loving step- mother to Kelly Hacking-Brown. Cherished grandmother to Brock, Shannon and Alannah. Dear sister to Margeret Hinds, Howard Hinds, Ruth Moore, Amy Julius, Linda Fowler, Eric Hinds, Christine Hinds, Joan Tracey, Bruce Hinds, Stanley Hinds, and predeceased by a brother John Hinds Jr., and sister Caroline Kuter, and her parents John Hinds and Dorothy Burnham- Hinds. Shirley will be dearly missed by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She proudly and lovingly operated Shirley's Antiques in St George for over 26 years. Shirley will be forever remembered for her love of family, friends, animals, and her selfless, compassionate nature. The family will receive friends at McCLEISTER FUNERAL HOME, 495 Park Rd. N., Brantford on Wednesday from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at St. George United Church, 9 Beverley East, St. George, on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Interment St. George Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley's memory made to the Stedman Community Hospice would be greatly appreciated.

McCLEISTER 519-758-1553