The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has released its total number of participants in Earth Hour activities.
In a March 31 press release Communications Officer, Judy Malfara, stated 4,029 people had joined in activities to reduce power usage between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on March 28. Last year 1,061 were involved.
Thirty-six families sent their stories to the board. Some of them are printed below.
"My sons and I were at a hockey tournament in Barrie on the weekend, during Earth Hour. All the kids on the team went in pairs door to door around the hotel asking everyone to unplug their coffee maker and microwave ovens (they thought most guests did unplug).
When we got to the restaurant (our reservations were for 8:00 pm), they asked if some of the lights could be turned down or off for Earth Hour; the restaurant obliged and we ate in very dim light. The kids thought they were doing a great thing. These are 12-year-old kids from our schools, so I think your message is getting out there.
The parents of these kids came back to rooms with everything unplugged, even the refrigerators. "
*****
"To celebrate Earth Hour we held a bonfire. We invited other families in the neighbourhood to join us. All together we had five girls (Grades 4, 5, and 6), my husband and myself, our son and five friends (in their early 20s). There were marshmallows, and chips, pizza, high spirits and lots of fun."
*****
"We played games by candlelight, a good old fashioned game of "Trouble" and "Outburst". It led to an entire family night, something these days is few and far between. Maybe we should cut to darkness once a month....help to save the earth and spend more time around the kitchen table. It would be a double bonus!"
*****
"My sons and I decided to have an Earth Day and the weather cooperated beautifully. We went to the zoo, to some different playgrounds and just played outside.
For the actual Earth Hour, we turned everything off and just played games that we made up as we went along. It was amazing quality time that sometimes technology keeps us from having.
They say we are in a connected world because of the cell phones, computers, etc., but the time I spent with my children on Earth Hour was far more rewarding than anything that we do with technology. I think we as a family will start our own Earth Hour once a week.
My husband was away on that weekend doing training for Scout leaders. 105 participants at the course all participated in Earth Hour and did their sessions by candlelight."
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Apple Blossom Tyme - a sign of spring
Cramahe Township’s annual rite of spring is only two months away. Apple Blossom Tyme Festival organizers are looking after the many details which go behind the smooth festival days on May 29-31.
Festival Chair, Pat Johnston, has met with Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien to bring the new township director up-to-date on what is happening and what is needed from the township.
The food vendors have their contracts in hand and the forms for the merchandise vendors are going to the website.
Sponsors have been contacted, and if their commitments arrive in time the Chair promises to have them in the promotional info being sent out after they are printed at the end of this month
Thirty-eight letters have been sent out to local clubs, associations, schools, and churches to ask for participation at ABTF and to ask for volunteers. Volunteer Application forms and Art Show applications are available from Carolyn at Town & Country on King St. E. in Colborne.
Some participants have already signed up.
The Colborne Cramahe Figure Skating is launching the three-day festival with a Country 105 Video Dance at the Keeler Centre on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 pm. Admission is $20.00 per person. Marcie Corbeil is the contact.
The Optimist soap box derby, a perennial favourite on Elgin Street South, is a go, with all wheels rolling.
The Colborne Masons are continuing their efforts to take a bigger role in the coomunity and are hosting breakfasts on both Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.
It's time to start planning your strategies for the spelling bee, headed for many years now by the indomitable Orletta Kernaghan and sponsored once more by Downey Pharmacy. The pharmacy will be providing the prizes for the top spellers and runners-up. A sponsor is still be sought to provide prizes for the spelling team with the best costume in the charity contest.
Word is out that the judges may be revising the rules this year to allow contestants more mistakes before elimination.
Community favourite, Ernie Stoneman will bring his sound equipment and his stage skills to handle the time-consuming MC job.
On stage with him will be the Malachor 5 Band, Maple Sugar, the all girl dance group and 15-year-old country singer, Kiaha Clegg.
Festival Chair, Pat Johnston, has met with Community Services Director, Dan O’Brien to bring the new township director up-to-date on what is happening and what is needed from the township.
The food vendors have their contracts in hand and the forms for the merchandise vendors are going to the website.
Sponsors have been contacted, and if their commitments arrive in time the Chair promises to have them in the promotional info being sent out after they are printed at the end of this month
Thirty-eight letters have been sent out to local clubs, associations, schools, and churches to ask for participation at ABTF and to ask for volunteers. Volunteer Application forms and Art Show applications are available from Carolyn at Town & Country on King St. E. in Colborne.
Some participants have already signed up.
The Colborne Cramahe Figure Skating is launching the three-day festival with a Country 105 Video Dance at the Keeler Centre on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 pm. Admission is $20.00 per person. Marcie Corbeil is the contact.
The Optimist soap box derby, a perennial favourite on Elgin Street South, is a go, with all wheels rolling.
The Colborne Masons are continuing their efforts to take a bigger role in the coomunity and are hosting breakfasts on both Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.
It's time to start planning your strategies for the spelling bee, headed for many years now by the indomitable Orletta Kernaghan and sponsored once more by Downey Pharmacy. The pharmacy will be providing the prizes for the top spellers and runners-up. A sponsor is still be sought to provide prizes for the spelling team with the best costume in the charity contest.
Word is out that the judges may be revising the rules this year to allow contestants more mistakes before elimination.
Community favourite, Ernie Stoneman will bring his sound equipment and his stage skills to handle the time-consuming MC job.
On stage with him will be the Malachor 5 Band, Maple Sugar, the all girl dance group and 15-year-old country singer, Kiaha Clegg.
The Colborne Legion will be serving dinner on Saturday from 5 - 6:30 p.m.
The Memorial Park Revitalization Committee is holding its 3rd annual Irish Road Bowling Contest on Saturday, May 30. Registration is at 11:30 am at the Queen's Hotel. Anyone can compete. Teams consist of two players, and costumes are encouraged. Entry fee is $15.00 per person /$30 per team. Teams bowl underhand through a designated obstacle course on the roadway. The first team to cross the finish line with the least number of "bowls" wins. Inquiries have been received from as far away as West Virginia for this zany event.
The deadline for Irish Bowling entries is the Saturday before the event, May 23.
The Cramahe Horticultural Club will be coordinating the Garden Shed Marketplace featuring Spring items, horticultural products, plant supplies, flowers and garden accessories, etc. There will also be unique gifts, handcrafted jewellery, fashions and home decor, bulk candies and nuts, sunglasses and watches, belts, buckles and books. Vendor inquiries are welcome for this very popular festival feature. Call Pat Johnston at 905 344-7845.
New for 2009 is a "Show 'N' Tell" exhibition of historical and/or pioneering farm implements, tools, gas-engine powered equipment, etc. to celebrate Colborne's 150 years and the importance of agriculture to our community. Bring along the unusual "thing-a-ma-jig" and the "couldn't do without" items to educate, entertain and win prizes, too. Special People's Choice Awards for the most interesting exhibits.
Here for this year are the OPP who are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year and are doing an ATV safety display. The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit is bringing its special 100th Anniversary Cruiser.
The coalition of Colborne Church Ministers is planning the outdoor Ecumenical Worship service for Sunday. Proceeds of this event will help finance children's programming at Vacation Bible School in Colborne this summer.
The Northumberland Humane Society, Salvation Army, Ruth Clarke Centre have confirmed attendance as well.
Even with all this happening the organizers of the Apple Blossom Tyme Festival need more help, and are looking for participation from more community groups.
As the festival approaches the organizers will be posting more information and forms on their website http://www.appleblossomtyme.com/.
Join in the fun and make this year’s festival another rousing success.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Local butterfly found in Mexico
Readers may recall stories in the local press about monarch butterflies released by students and teachers at Brighton Public School.
They area not the only ones monitoring and assisting the insects.
A butterfly tagged and released under the direction of Northumberland naturalist, Audrey Wilson, and Peter Brotherhood was found and identified in a fir forest, northwest of Mexico City. It was a female, tagged with 21 other monarchs on Sept 8, 2007 at Presqu’ile.
Ms Wilson was excited about this find because less then .5 of 1 per cent are usually recovered after their flight of 4,000 km.
Local people in Mexico are paid 500 pesos or the equivalent of $3.75 US by Monarch Watch for each recovered tagged monarch. At this remote, mountainous location in Mexico, the bodies of dead monarchs litter the forest floor to a depth of many centimeters. It is uncertain whether the monarch was found dead or alive. Scientists are continuing to learn more about this migration process through their tagging program.
Ms Wilson was a member of a team of amateur and professional naturalists in the 1960 and 70’s who discovered where the monarch wintered. In her lifetime, she has tagged literally thousands of monarchs but only a few tags from México have ever been returned.
They area not the only ones monitoring and assisting the insects.
A butterfly tagged and released under the direction of Northumberland naturalist, Audrey Wilson, and Peter Brotherhood was found and identified in a fir forest, northwest of Mexico City. It was a female, tagged with 21 other monarchs on Sept 8, 2007 at Presqu’ile.
Ms Wilson was excited about this find because less then .5 of 1 per cent are usually recovered after their flight of 4,000 km.
Local people in Mexico are paid 500 pesos or the equivalent of $3.75 US by Monarch Watch for each recovered tagged monarch. At this remote, mountainous location in Mexico, the bodies of dead monarchs litter the forest floor to a depth of many centimeters. It is uncertain whether the monarch was found dead or alive. Scientists are continuing to learn more about this migration process through their tagging program.
Ms Wilson was a member of a team of amateur and professional naturalists in the 1960 and 70’s who discovered where the monarch wintered. In her lifetime, she has tagged literally thousands of monarchs but only a few tags from México have ever been returned.
Join the Cramahe clean up
Cramahe Township's 2009 Litter Clean-up is being run in conjunction with Northumberland County during Pitch-in Canada Week, Monday 20 April to Saturday 25 April.
It is a week-long event so people who are not available on Saturday can participate; students and community groups are encouraged to get involved. Those who join in on the Saturday can stop off at Memorial Park on Victoria Street, opposite the Cramahe Works yard for hot dogs and drinks.
The dumpster will be located at the township Public Works yard on Victoria St. all week.
The big day will be Saturday 25 April, when we will have free drinks and hotdogs. We are hoping for better weather this year than we had last year, and a great community turnout.
There are registration forms on http://www.visitcramahe.ca/, which we hope people will fill in so we can register with PITCH-IN CANADA. Filling in a form is not mandatory.
Please contact Jim Harris @ 905-355-2821 Ext 225 to arrange for bags if needed and to advise what area you will be covering (so we can ensure there are enough hotdogs and drinks).
Arrangements can be made to have Public Works pick up hazardous or large materials.
Come out and join in on a great community event.
Jim Harris
Township of Cramahe
905-355-2821 Ext 225
It is a week-long event so people who are not available on Saturday can participate; students and community groups are encouraged to get involved. Those who join in on the Saturday can stop off at Memorial Park on Victoria Street, opposite the Cramahe Works yard for hot dogs and drinks.
The dumpster will be located at the township Public Works yard on Victoria St. all week.
The big day will be Saturday 25 April, when we will have free drinks and hotdogs. We are hoping for better weather this year than we had last year, and a great community turnout.
There are registration forms on http://www.visitcramahe.ca/, which we hope people will fill in so we can register with PITCH-IN CANADA. Filling in a form is not mandatory.
Please contact Jim Harris @ 905-355-2821 Ext 225 to arrange for bags if needed and to advise what area you will be covering (so we can ensure there are enough hotdogs and drinks).
Arrangements can be made to have Public Works pick up hazardous or large materials.
Come out and join in on a great community event.
Jim Harris
Township of Cramahe
905-355-2821 Ext 225
Colborne resident concerns about Bill 150
The following is a letter written on March 30 by Cramahe resident Alwyn Horscroft to Northumberland-Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi regarding Bill 150.
Mr. Horscroft has included the reply he received from Mr. Rinaldi later the same day.
Dear Mr. Rinaldi,
I would just like to give you a couple of thoughts I have been having about Bill 150. Much of it seems to be heading in the right direction. It may be a little heavily weighted in favour of wind power, but I'm certainly not qualified to judge that, and I must admit to having some difficulty understanding some of the bill.
However, when it comes to the energy audits I do have something to say, and I would hope that you will consider this.
Many of us in your riding are pensioners living on a fixed income, and we don't really need extra expenses if it should come to the time when we have to sell our houses. In our case we would like to remain in this house as long as we can, but even if we stay here until we die, we will still have the problem of leaving our children a liability rather than an asset. The first thing they would have to do is have it audited at their expense.
For many it isn't a case of finding out what needs doing. I can tell you now that the basement wall needs fixing, which will mean ripping up the back deck, and after that we have a couple of windows need replacing, and we don't need an assessment to know that they are leaking air in the winter.
The federal budget this year gave tax credits for fixing some of these things up, but they are a fat lot of good if you don't earn enough to pay taxes.
The bill didn't make it clear to me whether we would be forced to carry out any alterations to make it more energy efficient, although I can assure you that many of us would love to be able to pour loads of insulation into the walls, and buy a new furnace. These things aren't possible, and no law about energy audits is going to change this.
Really, when you buy a hundred year old house, you know that you are inheriting some problems, but if you had a couple of hundred thousand dollars extra you might buy a more expensive house. Then again, you might not.
I was also upset about the section which would give inspectors the right to enter one's premises. I understand that it says between six a.m. and nine p.m. Any inspector entering my house at either end of that period would be liable to catch me in bed. They used to say that an Englishman's home is his castle. I hope that a Canadian would have the same rights as an Englishman.
I would strongly recommend that this section of Bill 150 should be gone over with a fine tooth comb, and either removed or amended.
Yours Sincerely,
Alwyn P. Horscroft
The reply from Mr. Rinaldi is below:
March 30th, 2009
Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me on the government’s new Green Energy Act. As always, I appreciate hearing from you and further appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
It’s time to change the way we think about electricity. The McGuinty government’s proposed Green Energy Act (GEA) can ignite that essential transformation, to the benefit of our economy, our security, the future of our families and our planet. The GEA is not simply legislation; but a complete rethink of the way we consume and conserve, produce and deliver energy. The GEA would make Ontario a global leader in green economics, generation and conservation – creating up to 50,000 jobs in the next three years and encouraging global investment in Ontario for decades to come.
As important as modernizing our energy infrastructure is; we must also reduce our carbon footprint. Supported by members of all parties during debate in the legislature, a key plank in the GEA’s conservation platform would be the implementation of home energy audits. Energy audits allow each of us to assess and improve our homes by promoting efficiency and conservation; yielding real savings and increased property values to owners everywhere.
The idea behind a home energy audit is simple. As homes come to market for sale, an audit will be performed to assess a property’s efficiency – and reveal its potential. Audits would be performed by NRCan EcoEnergy certified energy auditors – ensuring professional standards by accredited individuals. On site, an auditor will measure the energy efficiency of any home, and deliver a report to the owner that will catalogue any improvements that might be made to save energy.
The owner can then choose whether to make any recommended improvements – there is no obligation. Every owner does qualify for a combined provincial/federal retrofit rebate package of up to $10,000 towards any needed improvements. This initiative will be phased in over a period of time. The result? Not a pass or a fail, but an opportunity. By making a home more efficient, an owner enjoys reduced operating costs and a potential increase of the property’s value.
Much ado has been made about both the cost of an audit and the rights of homeowners to control an auditor’s access. Like anything worth having, an audit will cost a small investment of about $150 – which will be matched by the provincial government. The benefit? A plan to improve your property and sales value while decreasing energy costs if improvements are made. All voluntary. The issue of access is also important. Audits will be scheduled through a cooperative process that respects both an owner’s rights and the regulations of the act.
The proposed Green Energy Act would transform Ontario’s electricity generation system into one of the cleanest, greenest energy supply mixes in the world. This is a work in progress; we need your input to make the GEA and the audit process an effective and fair reality. Check out www.ontario.ca/greenenergy .
This Bill is presently in front of the Standing Committee of Government Agencies and it is here that all Ontarians have the opportunity to send their concerns along. I would encourage you to write to the clerk, Mr. Arnott or you may wish to write to each Member of the committee as well. Should you choose to write the Clerk he will forward your concerns along to all Members of the Committee.
Mr. Horscroft has included the reply he received from Mr. Rinaldi later the same day.
Dear Mr. Rinaldi,
I would just like to give you a couple of thoughts I have been having about Bill 150. Much of it seems to be heading in the right direction. It may be a little heavily weighted in favour of wind power, but I'm certainly not qualified to judge that, and I must admit to having some difficulty understanding some of the bill.
However, when it comes to the energy audits I do have something to say, and I would hope that you will consider this.
Many of us in your riding are pensioners living on a fixed income, and we don't really need extra expenses if it should come to the time when we have to sell our houses. In our case we would like to remain in this house as long as we can, but even if we stay here until we die, we will still have the problem of leaving our children a liability rather than an asset. The first thing they would have to do is have it audited at their expense.
For many it isn't a case of finding out what needs doing. I can tell you now that the basement wall needs fixing, which will mean ripping up the back deck, and after that we have a couple of windows need replacing, and we don't need an assessment to know that they are leaking air in the winter.
The federal budget this year gave tax credits for fixing some of these things up, but they are a fat lot of good if you don't earn enough to pay taxes.
The bill didn't make it clear to me whether we would be forced to carry out any alterations to make it more energy efficient, although I can assure you that many of us would love to be able to pour loads of insulation into the walls, and buy a new furnace. These things aren't possible, and no law about energy audits is going to change this.
Really, when you buy a hundred year old house, you know that you are inheriting some problems, but if you had a couple of hundred thousand dollars extra you might buy a more expensive house. Then again, you might not.
I was also upset about the section which would give inspectors the right to enter one's premises. I understand that it says between six a.m. and nine p.m. Any inspector entering my house at either end of that period would be liable to catch me in bed. They used to say that an Englishman's home is his castle. I hope that a Canadian would have the same rights as an Englishman.
I would strongly recommend that this section of Bill 150 should be gone over with a fine tooth comb, and either removed or amended.
Yours Sincerely,
Alwyn P. Horscroft
The reply from Mr. Rinaldi is below:
March 30th, 2009
Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me on the government’s new Green Energy Act. As always, I appreciate hearing from you and further appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.
It’s time to change the way we think about electricity. The McGuinty government’s proposed Green Energy Act (GEA) can ignite that essential transformation, to the benefit of our economy, our security, the future of our families and our planet. The GEA is not simply legislation; but a complete rethink of the way we consume and conserve, produce and deliver energy. The GEA would make Ontario a global leader in green economics, generation and conservation – creating up to 50,000 jobs in the next three years and encouraging global investment in Ontario for decades to come.
As important as modernizing our energy infrastructure is; we must also reduce our carbon footprint. Supported by members of all parties during debate in the legislature, a key plank in the GEA’s conservation platform would be the implementation of home energy audits. Energy audits allow each of us to assess and improve our homes by promoting efficiency and conservation; yielding real savings and increased property values to owners everywhere.
The idea behind a home energy audit is simple. As homes come to market for sale, an audit will be performed to assess a property’s efficiency – and reveal its potential. Audits would be performed by NRCan EcoEnergy certified energy auditors – ensuring professional standards by accredited individuals. On site, an auditor will measure the energy efficiency of any home, and deliver a report to the owner that will catalogue any improvements that might be made to save energy.
The owner can then choose whether to make any recommended improvements – there is no obligation. Every owner does qualify for a combined provincial/federal retrofit rebate package of up to $10,000 towards any needed improvements. This initiative will be phased in over a period of time. The result? Not a pass or a fail, but an opportunity. By making a home more efficient, an owner enjoys reduced operating costs and a potential increase of the property’s value.
Much ado has been made about both the cost of an audit and the rights of homeowners to control an auditor’s access. Like anything worth having, an audit will cost a small investment of about $150 – which will be matched by the provincial government. The benefit? A plan to improve your property and sales value while decreasing energy costs if improvements are made. All voluntary. The issue of access is also important. Audits will be scheduled through a cooperative process that respects both an owner’s rights and the regulations of the act.
The proposed Green Energy Act would transform Ontario’s electricity generation system into one of the cleanest, greenest energy supply mixes in the world. This is a work in progress; we need your input to make the GEA and the audit process an effective and fair reality. Check out www.ontario.ca/greenenergy .
This Bill is presently in front of the Standing Committee of Government Agencies and it is here that all Ontarians have the opportunity to send their concerns along. I would encourage you to write to the clerk, Mr. Arnott or you may wish to write to each Member of the committee as well. Should you choose to write the Clerk he will forward your concerns along to all Members of the Committee.
School families support Earth Hour
In a march 30 press release, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Communications Officer, Judy Malfara announced that families throughout the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPR) showed overwhelming support for this year’s Earth Hour.
By 3 p.m. Monday, 3,242 people had registered on the board’s website declaring they had participated in the one-hour event on Saturday night.
This compares with a total of 1,061 participants who registered in 2008, KPR’s first year of promoting Earth Hour participation. In addition, 26 families e-mailed stories or photographs of what they did during “lights out” this year. These are being shared on the Board’s website.
“We’re gratified to see the level of support for Earth Hour, in our schools and in our communities,” notes Director of Education Sylvia Terpstra. “Every school participated in some way, whether by holding a symbolic Earth Hour of its own during the week, by educating students about the importance of protecting our environment, or by ensuring all unnecessary lighting and other systems were powered down for the weekend.
“As a result, we estimate a reduction of about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions,” she adds. “Even more importantly, we hope our efforts to promote Earth Hour and environmental responsibility will result in increased awareness and decreased energy usage year-round.”
The Board also sent a recorded telephone message to about 22,000 families with children in its elementary and secondary schools, encouraging their participation in Earth Hour. The calls were made from a central server that already operates 24 hours a day to manage the Board’s information needs, so no additional power was used to reach out to families.
By 3 p.m. Monday, 3,242 people had registered on the board’s website declaring they had participated in the one-hour event on Saturday night.
This compares with a total of 1,061 participants who registered in 2008, KPR’s first year of promoting Earth Hour participation. In addition, 26 families e-mailed stories or photographs of what they did during “lights out” this year. These are being shared on the Board’s website.
“We’re gratified to see the level of support for Earth Hour, in our schools and in our communities,” notes Director of Education Sylvia Terpstra. “Every school participated in some way, whether by holding a symbolic Earth Hour of its own during the week, by educating students about the importance of protecting our environment, or by ensuring all unnecessary lighting and other systems were powered down for the weekend.
“As a result, we estimate a reduction of about 2.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions,” she adds. “Even more importantly, we hope our efforts to promote Earth Hour and environmental responsibility will result in increased awareness and decreased energy usage year-round.”
The Board also sent a recorded telephone message to about 22,000 families with children in its elementary and secondary schools, encouraging their participation in Earth Hour. The calls were made from a central server that already operates 24 hours a day to manage the Board’s information needs, so no additional power was used to reach out to families.
Liberals to meet at Keeler Centre
The Northumberland-Quinte West Provincial Liberal Association will meet Sunday, April 5 at the Keeler Centre.
The party announced today that the guest speaker at its AGM will be Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne. The public is welcome to attend for her speech, scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
The party announced today that the guest speaker at its AGM will be Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynne. The public is welcome to attend for her speech, scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Cramahe illustrator has show in gallery
Internationally acclaimed for her rich luminous illustrations, Colborne’s Jirina Marton is the current solo artist at the Colborne Art Gallery at 51 King St. E. in Colborne.
An Illustrative Life, opened March 14 and runs to April 26. It highlight the works she has created in the past five years, from children’s story books like The Bear Says North, and Arctic Adventures.
Her oil pastels have drawn high praise from critics in the book industry.
Commenting on her illustrations in Arctic Adventures, Quill & Quire states, “Marton's artistry makes the reader experience the uncertainty and thrill of visual discovery."
Joanne Schwantz of Canadian Children’s Books News noted, “Jirina Marton's illustrations are rich and beautiful. Her layered technique creates such subtlety and depth there is a sculptural quality to the artwork. She imbues her illustrations with light that seems to emanate from beyond the page. The rectangular spreads that open each section stunningly capture the otherworldliness of the Arctic landscape.”
Marja’s Skis was nominated for a Governor General’s Award for children’s illustrations in 2007.
Creating the images for a children’s book is more than simply painting pictures, says the artist. The pictures have to work together from beginning to end, as they tell the story visually, enhancing the atmosphere, creating continuity, and adding detail that isn’t found in the words. And they have to fit with the printed text.
At times ethereal, at times whimsical, the paintings fill the space with the aura of the story.
Even talking about creating the illustrations, Jirina becomes animated. There is so much the artist can control – everything from the colour of the character’s eyes to the clothes worn.
Drawing from her rich personal experience, the Czechoslovakian-born, former resident of Paris no longer writes books; she now concentrates on illustrating the stories offered to her by Groundwood Books.
She has immersed in her drawings and in the arts since her Czechoslovak childhood. She escaped the country, fleeing to France two days before the Russian invasion of 1968. She spent eight years in Paris before immigrating to Canada.
Upon her arrival in the early eighties it was time once more for the vibrant woman to re-form her way of life. Speaking very little English and with a ten-month-old daughter in tow she connected with some Czech friends in Toronto. She did some renderings of buildings, earning a decent living.
And she built her career as a children's book illustrator and writer, following some advice given to her in Paris in 1982.
Her first story, Nicole's Boat was followed quickly by Le Petit Benjamin, printed in 1986 and a pair of French titles she illustrated.
Since her first book, she has written or illustrated close to 30 books, with more due to be released.
The next book to be released with her illustrations is Bella’s Tree, a Christmas story due for release later this year.
Reflecting on the future in a recent interview she reflected on the story line of her 1997 book, Lady Kagula's Secret, a tenth-century Japanese tale. “It is about a poor peasant couple who are childless. A child comes to them, enchanting all whom she meets, then departs. She is going back to the moon.
We come into this world and know nothing. We learn about love and there is a time to go. It is a simple understanding of the meaning of life.
I may not be able to change the world around me. But I can change my mind, and in that way I can change my world."
This is Jirina Marton’s first solo show at the Colborne Gallery.
An Illustrative Life, opened March 14 and runs to April 26. It highlight the works she has created in the past five years, from children’s story books like The Bear Says North, and Arctic Adventures.
Her oil pastels have drawn high praise from critics in the book industry.
Commenting on her illustrations in Arctic Adventures, Quill & Quire states, “Marton's artistry makes the reader experience the uncertainty and thrill of visual discovery."
Joanne Schwantz of Canadian Children’s Books News noted, “Jirina Marton's illustrations are rich and beautiful. Her layered technique creates such subtlety and depth there is a sculptural quality to the artwork. She imbues her illustrations with light that seems to emanate from beyond the page. The rectangular spreads that open each section stunningly capture the otherworldliness of the Arctic landscape.”
Marja’s Skis was nominated for a Governor General’s Award for children’s illustrations in 2007.
Creating the images for a children’s book is more than simply painting pictures, says the artist. The pictures have to work together from beginning to end, as they tell the story visually, enhancing the atmosphere, creating continuity, and adding detail that isn’t found in the words. And they have to fit with the printed text.
At times ethereal, at times whimsical, the paintings fill the space with the aura of the story.
Even talking about creating the illustrations, Jirina becomes animated. There is so much the artist can control – everything from the colour of the character’s eyes to the clothes worn.
Drawing from her rich personal experience, the Czechoslovakian-born, former resident of Paris no longer writes books; she now concentrates on illustrating the stories offered to her by Groundwood Books.
She has immersed in her drawings and in the arts since her Czechoslovak childhood. She escaped the country, fleeing to France two days before the Russian invasion of 1968. She spent eight years in Paris before immigrating to Canada.
Upon her arrival in the early eighties it was time once more for the vibrant woman to re-form her way of life. Speaking very little English and with a ten-month-old daughter in tow she connected with some Czech friends in Toronto. She did some renderings of buildings, earning a decent living.
And she built her career as a children's book illustrator and writer, following some advice given to her in Paris in 1982.
Her first story, Nicole's Boat was followed quickly by Le Petit Benjamin, printed in 1986 and a pair of French titles she illustrated.
Since her first book, she has written or illustrated close to 30 books, with more due to be released.
The next book to be released with her illustrations is Bella’s Tree, a Christmas story due for release later this year.
Reflecting on the future in a recent interview she reflected on the story line of her 1997 book, Lady Kagula's Secret, a tenth-century Japanese tale. “It is about a poor peasant couple who are childless. A child comes to them, enchanting all whom she meets, then departs. She is going back to the moon.
We come into this world and know nothing. We learn about love and there is a time to go. It is a simple understanding of the meaning of life.
I may not be able to change the world around me. But I can change my mind, and in that way I can change my world."
This is Jirina Marton’s first solo show at the Colborne Gallery.
Community Food Bank changing
The Community Food Bank has been growing tremendously in importance to the community over the last few years especially, and will continue to grow as the economy toughens.
The Cramahe Community Food Bank has been around for many years, operating twice a month out of the United Church here in Colborne with the ongoing support of the Legion especially, various other organizations from time-to-time, and members of the community at large. We are also privileged in this community to have developed in the last six years or so the support of the Milk For Moms Program, the NeighborLink Meat and Milk program, and of course the Food4All Warehouse located in the industrial park just up the road from us.
When it started many years ago having half a dozen households attend Food Bank opening was a big event, but as times have gotten tougher more and more families have found it necessary to seek assistance in providing food for their tables. We are now seeing between 40 and 45 households at each of our regularly scheduled openings, and follow up on several calls a month for assistance in between openings. We currently have over 160 households registered with us, with more joining each week. This trend is only going to increase over the few years as individual family financial situations are impacted by the global economic crisis.
Despite the fact that word of mouth is a tremendously viable new network in this community, and the fact that we have notices posted in all the key gathering points around town, we know that there are still households that may need our assistance who have no idea where or how to access food. By publicising our schedule (see posting below) we may be able to reach at least some of those people.
We are looking at increasing our official number of openings, perhaps by adding afternoons or evenings to our current schedule for easier access to those who are working. We have some plans in the works but have not yet finalized them. We will keep you posted on that aspect.
If you have any questions, or need any clarification on anything please feel free to contact me at any time.
Pamela Frederick-Taylor
Co-ordinator
Cramahe Community Food Bank
(905)355-1338
The Cramahe Community Food Bank has been around for many years, operating twice a month out of the United Church here in Colborne with the ongoing support of the Legion especially, various other organizations from time-to-time, and members of the community at large. We are also privileged in this community to have developed in the last six years or so the support of the Milk For Moms Program, the NeighborLink Meat and Milk program, and of course the Food4All Warehouse located in the industrial park just up the road from us.
When it started many years ago having half a dozen households attend Food Bank opening was a big event, but as times have gotten tougher more and more families have found it necessary to seek assistance in providing food for their tables. We are now seeing between 40 and 45 households at each of our regularly scheduled openings, and follow up on several calls a month for assistance in between openings. We currently have over 160 households registered with us, with more joining each week. This trend is only going to increase over the few years as individual family financial situations are impacted by the global economic crisis.
Despite the fact that word of mouth is a tremendously viable new network in this community, and the fact that we have notices posted in all the key gathering points around town, we know that there are still households that may need our assistance who have no idea where or how to access food. By publicising our schedule (see posting below) we may be able to reach at least some of those people.
We are looking at increasing our official number of openings, perhaps by adding afternoons or evenings to our current schedule for easier access to those who are working. We have some plans in the works but have not yet finalized them. We will keep you posted on that aspect.
If you have any questions, or need any clarification on anything please feel free to contact me at any time.
Pamela Frederick-Taylor
Co-ordinator
Cramahe Community Food Bank
(905)355-1338
Community Food Bank hours
Cramahe Food Bank is open on the following Tuesdays at Colborne United Church, 1 Church St. E. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:
April 14 and April 28
May 12 and May 26
June 9 and June 23
July 14 and July 28
August 11 and August 25
September 8 and September 22
October 13 and October 27
November 10 and November 24
December 8
In case of emergencies, call (905) 355 1338 or (905) 355 3331.
April 14 and April 28
May 12 and May 26
June 9 and June 23
July 14 and July 28
August 11 and August 25
September 8 and September 22
October 13 and October 27
November 10 and November 24
December 8
In case of emergencies, call (905) 355 1338 or (905) 355 3331.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Missing person in Campbellford
The Northumberland OPP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 14-year-old girl from Campbellford. The youth, Jamie Lee Young has been missing since the 20th of March 2009. She is described as 5 ft. 8 in. in height, 110 lbs in weight, very thin, with pale blue eyes and long black hair. She has natural dirty blonde hair and may have changed back to her natural colour. She was last seen wearing a grey jacket, black tights, grey track pants, a purse and knapsack. There is a concern as she is on medication and does not have it with her.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northumberland OPP at 705-653-3300.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Northumberland OPP at 705-653-3300.
Garden Club on Monday
Hi everyone and HAPPY SPRING!!! It sure feels like spring, but I'm sure Mother Nature probably has a few snowflakes up her sleeve yet. Anyway, it has been nice to see the snowbells and crocus coming up and It won't be long before we see the daffodils and tulips pushing through.
Our guest speakers this week are from Wicklow Way in Lakeport and they specilize in organic gardening, especially heritage tomatoes. This will be an interesting talk and I'm sure you won't want to miss it.
Please remember to bring a mug for refreshments, money for the 50/50 draw, and I believe there will be seeds aavailable to buy. Also, if you haven't renewed your membership, now would be a good time.
Hope to see you on Monday, March 30/09.
Sharron MacDonald
Our guest speakers this week are from Wicklow Way in Lakeport and they specilize in organic gardening, especially heritage tomatoes. This will be an interesting talk and I'm sure you won't want to miss it.
Please remember to bring a mug for refreshments, money for the 50/50 draw, and I believe there will be seeds aavailable to buy. Also, if you haven't renewed your membership, now would be a good time.
Hope to see you on Monday, March 30/09.
Sharron MacDonald
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Band members celebrate fifty years
Revelers at Colborne’s 150th anniversary celebration on August 1 will be celebrating a very special time in the history of the village. Former band and baton twirlers from over 50 years ago were here when the village hired the first full time recreation director in the province, a man who had an enormous impact on the young people of the village.
Bob Turner was celebrated here for his talents and the gifts and memories he gave the children.
He was a trailbreaker in many ways.
In 1946 he was a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
In 1948, a year after Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier in major league baseball, Turner was catching for the Chicago White Sox. He broke the colour barrier again, marrying Dorris Greenham before moving to Colborne. They had two daughters, Phyllis and Joy.
Turner, Carl Higginbottom and Ron Kelly were three black players brought in to bolster the lineup of the Colborne Colbright Intermediate baseball team which played teams from Peterbrough, Oshawa and other major centres.
Bob Turner will not be at Colborne’s 150th celebrating the successes of the Colborne Recreation Band and Baton Corps; he died at 35 from complications in a minor operation back in 1965. But Dorris, Phyllis and Joy will join the band and baton corps Saturday festivities.
Turner was only here for about four years before leaving unexpectedly for Cornwall, but he left behind a legacy of achievements and more than that, a sense of accomplishment by all of the 70 odd band members and baton twirlers who performed across the province every year.
Baton members recall that everyone could join, and starting in 1953, nearly every child in the village between the ages of five and 15 did. Talk to anyone who grew up in the community during that period – they wear their membership as a badge of honour.
Membership in the performing group wasn’t automatic. There were over 125 kids practicing some years. When they passed proficiency tests and paid their $5 deposit they got the uniform and the opportunity to travel with the performing group.
It went everywhere, with the group being paid for most gigs and playing in a lot of Santa Claus parades..
It was known across the province as the youngest and most proficient group of its kind.
In their second year it was one of 48 bands that performed before 50,000 at Peterborough at the Lions Club Parade the largest parade ever held in the district at the time.
In 1955 The Colborne Express listed the Merry-go-round formation, Charleston routine and Parade of the Wooden Soldier as part of the group’s growing repertoire
On August 27 of that year the Colborne Recreation Band and Baton Corps was listed with bands from Lindsay, Peterborough and Belleville as the entertainers at the Colborne Beef Barbecue and Jamboree. The barbecue held at Memorial Park on Victoria Street was a major local event at the time and included a carnival of games and dinner for a dollar.
That fall the recreation director organized a telephone bingo, with proceeds going to the recreation commission. At 2 p.m. each weekday three numbers were called at 2 p.m. The prize was $20 for each vertical line and 150 for full card. Numbers were listed weekly in the Colborne Chronicle.
The kids in the band faced one of their biggest disappointments in May, 1956.
Probably using his connections, Turner arranged to have the band and baton corps perform at the opening game of the Maple Leafs Baseball Team in Toronto. Sadly, they sat in the stands in the rain, waiting for it to abate. There was no next day – their teachers said they had to be back in class.
Disappointed that year, they performed every year until 1962. On their 7th trip to Maple Leaf opener, 49 members went wearing new uniforms with new shakos and gold plumes. The recreation director was Wayne Ring, and the band leader was Karen Van Meeuwen. Newspaper accounts of the day describe the parade from the ball park to Toronto City Hall, followed by “a tasty lunch with cold milk”. Band member Brian Troop retrieved a ball that had been hit into stands.
There were numerous accounts of the band and baton corps travels in 1956.
They opened the Bowmanville Carnival and paraded through town. The Canadian Statesman, printed in Bowmanville commented, “The talented coordination and skill of this entertaining group is especially noteworthy because of their young age.”
On July 11, 1956 they were in Campbellford for the Old Home Week celebration in Campbellford. Forty kids under Turner, were captained by Mary Van Meeuwen
There were many high points and perhaps the highest came in 1956.
The band and baton corps was invited to travel to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and participate in the massive parade. Two large photos on the front page of Section 2 of Toronto Star October 30, 1956 told its readers of the opportunity.
A Dec 29, 1956 article in The Star Weekly was titled “Rose Bowl Bound” They needed to raise $4,000 for the January 1, 1958 parade. Colborne had 1,500 residents at the time. The Recreation Director, and spearhead of the group, hoped to get money from the Ontario department of travel and publicity. In a newspaper photo of Turner with band members Arlis McLaughlin, Ann Self and Wayne Ring in Oct 56 Bob worried about where money would be found. The adjacent photo of Karen Van Meeuwen holding a football was captioned, “Youngsters have 15 routines, some with lights on their hats, others featuring ballet. Mr. Turner believes the parade will be the corps’ big chance.”
In the end perhaps their greatest triumph became their most lasting disappointment.. Parents stepped in and decided the kids were too young to fly that far
The next summer the Trumpet Band and Baton Corps went with Rotary club members and wives in 18 cars to Merrywood-on-the-Rideau, a summer camp for physically disabled children near Perth. The band played several numbers and baton corps gave demonstrations of precision drills and twirling techniques. Rotary clubs of this district financed the furnishings in the camp's new hall.
A brochure created by Turner and distributed to prospective clients gave a history of the group and promoted its “magnetic power”.
In 1957 Colborne Trumpet and Baton Corps with, 72 members, participated in 20 engagements – festivals, patriotic and community parades, fairs and novelty drills and their annual journey to Maple Leaf Stadium where they earned $125 for their efforts.
Their fame was growing.
A quote from the local paper praised the youngsters, “ The corps is nationally known: they have achieved stature and esteem as being a great crowd pleaser. Their magnetic power has carried them through three successive seasons.”
Their routine at the All Star Game in Trenton that year included a waltz, mambo and precision drill routines and a colourful demonstration of street marching.
In the same year the band and baton corps was the guest performer on Cobourg Army Night, attended three fall fairs and was invited to the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.
In the fall of 1957 Helen Upper wrote, about the “recreation-conscious village in the heart of the canning industry in Northumberland”
She went on later in the same article to state, “The success of the Baton Corps and Band is proof to the town of Colborne that money spent for recreational purposes pays off. It may be the smallest town or village in Canada with a fulltime paid recreational director, and the whole municipality benefits.”
In describing how the village had gone so far, so fast Upper added, “The seeds were sown a few years ago when a village meeting was called to discuss means of grappling with a growing tendency toward mischief on the part of the youngsters who were without organized direction for play.
Beatrice Smith donated an eight-acre field for a play park and the fathers met the challenge by voluntarily doing the necessary work of conversion. A good baseball diamond with floodlights and equipment followed. Colborne engaged a young New Jersey baseball player with a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and launched a program of building its future voters into solid citizens.”
For the kids who look back so fondly to those golden childhood years, there is more than band and baton membership. Under the encouraging leadership of Turner there was weekly bowling, sock hops and teen dances in the Masonic Hall, skating parties, newspaper and bottle drives, penny carnivals.
They were glory years.
Cecil Nobes and Wayne Ring followed in Turner’s footsteps after he went on to Cornwall to be the director there.
One document lists Cecil Nobes as the director, giving his pay as $3,600 in 1959, with a $200 raise in 1960. By 1966 the recreation director hauled in $4,500 a year.
In Nobes’ time the band and baton corps had assets of close to $5,000 and earned over $875.In 1958 the band with its 65 members, known sometimes as the Colborne Recreation Trumpet and Baton Corps was invited to the annual Band Tattoo in Picton, and was part of the Bowmanville centennial celebration.
There are photos that year of the band at Presqu’ile Park. The caption describes the afternoon, “On Parade – One of the outstanding attractions at the Liberal picnic held at Presqu’ile on Wednesday afternoon was the display given by the Colborne Recreation Trumpet Band. Following the waterskiing demonstration the crowd was shown some fine precision routines by the band. The colourful costumes of the band added to the fun and gaiety of the afternoon’s proceedings.”
The display preceded the arrival of provincial Liberal leader John Wintermeyer.
Two years later 10 members of the Colbornettes put on a display of precision team twirling in front of a grandstand audience. Directed by Miss Gail Peebles at the Canadian National Baton Twirling Competition in Norfolk County Fair at Simcoe Ont., they won the Junior Fancy Drill.
Even though Turner had gone, the tie remained.
They opened the Cornwall Recreation Centre June 22, 1961 under director Wayne Ring. They performed on same program as Cornwall Sea Cadet Band, led by Turner
The Colborne kids gave an encore performance after the
French Nationale Parade the next day and got a $50 bonus.
At Turner’s death the Cornwall paper stated, (Turner) “was one of Cornwall’s most popular city officials, particularly with children”… “Since coming to Cornwall, Mr. Turner organized and correlated physical, social and cultural activities in a recreation program which has been described as one of the best in the province.” He was the first black recreation director in Ontario.
A letter to the editor by Colborne’s Isobel Ring, speaking about his funeral service put his contribution succinctly, “Bob’s life had known no limits and his deeds would be a living memorial to every man, woman and child who had known him. We, from Colborne, listened and how vividly we could recall the fine things this man had also done for our town.”
The band and baton corps continued to operate until at least 1966.
Over 40 years later some of the former members can still recite the routines
Its alumni will be hosting an open house at the VBJ Centre on Victoria Square in Colborne as part of the village’s 150th celebration. The organizers are planning a display of memorabilia, uniforms, photos and possibly even some old home movies of the era. If there is a 150th anniversary parade they plan to be there with bells on, and possibly their batons and instruments – but maybe not their uniforms.
Anyone with materials or memories to contribute should call Lynn Rusaw (McLaughlin) at 905 355-3792 or lynn.rusaw@hotmail.com, Marg Post (Lynn) at 905 355-2029, or Arlis Teal (McLaughlin) at arlis@rogers.com. They already have a list of over 120 former members and are hoping to add more.
Many of the former band and baton members are still friends 50 years later, others married members of the group. The prospects of rekindling old lost relationships from a golden era in Colborne has them eagerly anticipating the August 1 reunion and the windup the next day.
For more photos, go to the "band and baton" entry below.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Band and Baton photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/lesbobowen/BandAndBaton?authkey=Gv1sRgCJTQ9Mr_msbb7gE#
Monday, 23 March 2009
Colborne's bell to return soon
The bell which once warned kids off the streets may soon be back in its place in Victoria Square in Colborne.
The bell was donated to Colborne in 1906 by James Coyle Sr, great grandfather of Brenda Irish.
Coyle was an orchard owner over a hundred years ago when the fruit industry was a major employer in the Colborne area. One of his storage buildings was on Creek Street, in the core of the former village of Colborne.
James Coyle Sr. originally rang it at noon and six p.m.
He was followed at some point Chief Jamison.
Most long-time residents recall it as a curfew bell but it was used for more than that.
Joe and Art Hodge ran a service station near Victoria Square, on Toronto St. They rang it to mark noon.
Colborne octogenarian and lifelong resident, Bill Ball says the bell was rung for the curfew in the thirties, but not during or after World War II.
There was a rope and a wire running down from the top of the bell, says Ball. The wire, on the north side was shorter so that the kids couldn’t reach it. The wire was pulled and the bell was rung repeatedly to signal a fire and to call the firemen. The south rope was used for curfew and noon rings. 
Ball, like most of those who lived here 70 years ago, remembers the bell ringer and town handyman and cop, Joe Farrell who rang it daily. Some say he checked the time on the “turn of the century” style wall clock mounted in Mayhew’s Jewelers on the north side of King St. E.
Harold Mayhew married the daughter of the store founder John Rutherford and took over the store in 1894, running it until 1956 when he sold it to Ed Rimmer. Harold and Joan Harnden were the last owners, finally closing in 1991 after 21 years in the business.
Rutherford launched the store in 1882. He was a first cousin of Walter Rutherford’s grandfather.
Walter lived in east Colborne as a child and says you could hear the bell ring on a clear day or when the wind blew the right direction. He and his buddies weren’t often downtown at night. They preferred the open fields on Parliament St. where they could play ball until they got tired, drifting off home. Even thought he wasn’t directly affected by the bell, he knew its ring meant it was time to be home.
Walter remembers Joe Farrell as the town foreman, and street cleaner. Farrell was the sole non-office employee of the village at the time. When the rink needed to be flooded, Joe was the man for the job. Farrell even made the cement culverts needed by the village, using a portable mixer.
He was followed in his position by George Blyth, known by many for his quick wit and strongly held views.
For a time after it was removed from the park, the bell sat on a cairn on the Church St. E. lawn of James Coyle Jr, grandson of the donator, and brother of Helen Irish.
Many years after the bell had last been rung, James Coyle Sr.’s granddaughter, Helen Irish, gave it back to the town. It has sat in the township yard in Colborne for several years.
The committee organizing Colborne’s 150th anniversary is hoping to restore the bell to Victoria Square in time for the celebrations on August 1.