ENSS Academic Award Winners for 2008-9

ENSS ACADEMIC AWARD WINNERS FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009

ART:

Grade 9: Brendan Petersen
Grade 10: Prianka St. John
Grade 11: Shelby LeBlanc

BUSINESS:

Grade 9: Lauren Grubb, Jerry Lee Degroot
Grade 10: Erin Hendricks, Marie Robertson, Haleigh Top
Grade 11: Sandeep Patel, Shawn Nutley

CO-OP:

Katie Mackintosh

DANCE:

Grade 9: Karli Weatherup
Grade 10: Melissa Polmateer
Grade 11: Rachel Rumsam

DRAMA:

Grade 9: Laura Donovan
Grade 10: Nicole Lance
Grade 11: Alex Holland

ENGLISH:

Grade 9: Nicholas Archer, Carly Mattis, Clara Quinn
Grade 10: Dylan Abbott, Amanda Jones, Laura Cleave
Grade 11: Stevie Fox, Rachel Visconti, Theresa Gannon

FAMILY STUDIES:

Grade 9: Natalie Iezzi
Grade 10: Brandon Kober, Prianka St. John
Grade 11: Emily Wheatly, Kelly Kew, Shelby LeBlanc


LANGUAGES -FRENCH:

Grade 9: Matthew Windsor, Nathan Cheesebrough, Sean DeLong
Grade 10: Brittany Hanthorn
Grade 11: Sophia Whang

EXTENDED FRENCH:

Grade 9:
(Francais) Julienne Hoekstra
(Geographie) Ryan Carey, Julienne Hoekstra
Grade 10:
(Francais and Histoire) Prianka St. John
Grade 11:
(Francais and Sociologie) Chelsey Labrecque

SPANISH:

Grade 10: Olivia Missios

MATHEMATICS:

Grade 9: Kyle Kennedy, Carlye Hanthorn, Ryan Carey
Grade 10: Dylan Abbott, Patricia Corkery, Allan Tripp, Albert Fledderus
Grade 11: Jemini Barager, Caitlynd Doyle, Laura Mueller, Erin McKee

MATH CONTEST

(Fryer and Galois Participation Certificates)
Ryan Carey, Albert Fledderus, Wei Wei Van (Grade 10 Cayley Math Contest)
Albert Fledderus (medal and Certificate of Distinction) Wei Wei Van (Certificate of Distinction) Emily O'Brien (Certificate of Distinction)

MUSIC:

Grade 9:
(Instrumental) Lauren Grubb
(Vocal) Hannah Moher, Meriya Gmeiner-McPherson
Grade 10:
(Guitar) David Snider
(Instrumental) Dan Cleveland
(Vocal) Jenny Chung
Grade 11:
(Guitar) Curtis Sansom
(Vocal) Jessica Milligan
(Instrumental) Michelle Breeze
(MIDI) Branden Nieves

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

Grade 9 Boys) Jesse Labrecque, (Girls) Laura Donovan
Grade 10 (Boys)Wei Wei Van, (Girls) Hannah Gillespie
Grade 11 (Boys) Matthew Czulo, Zachary Carswell, (Girls) Emma Lafontaine
(Fitness) Jocelyn Pitcher

SCIENCE:

Grade 9: Nicholas-Archer, Liam David, Laura Donovan
Grade 10: Dylan Abbott, Brittany Hanthorn, Wei Wei Van
Grade 11: Michelle Leclerc
(Biology) Jason Worobetz, Jennifer Pitcher
(Chemistry) Jocelyn Pitcher
(Physics) Jared Huras
(Environmental) Samantha Bryant
(Astronomy) Erin McKee
(Healthcare) Megan Shaner

STUDENT SERVICES:

John Cheesebrough, Taylor Buck, Bayley Sarrasin

TECHNOLOGY:

Grade 9:
(Integrated Technology) Tim Tedford
Grade 10:
(Construction) Tyler Boyce
(Communications) Brooke Bartley
(Computer Programming) Erin McKee
(Cosmetology) Katelin Simpkins
(Manufacturing) Joshua House
(Technical Design) Daniel Cleveland
(Transportation) Lucas Kuipers
Grade 11:
(Communications) Chaz Gaudet, Tracy Fledderus
(Computer Programming) Erik Mieras
(Construction) Jordan Voskamp, Brigham Nickerson
(Cosmetology) Kelly Kew
(Hospitality) Laura Osvald, Maria Colasante
(Manufacturing) John Tyrrell, Kyle Vanderloon
(Technical Design) William Forge, Zachary Field
(Transportation) Brandon Clarey, Devon Kippen

WORLD STUDIES:
Grade 9:
(Geography) Mikaela Stogryn, Carlye Hanthorn, Nick Archer, Tanisha McCumber
Grade 10:
(History) Dan Cleveland, Tyler Boyce, Dylan Abbott
(Civics) Erin McKee
(Native Studies) Brandon Kober
Grade 11:
(Travel and Tourism) Brittany Oliver
(Law) Shannon Turner
(History) Shelby Leblanc

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:

Grade 9: Laura Donovan
Grade 10: Prianka St. John
Grade 11: (Church in the Heart of the Park Award) Robyn VanEs


THE "TOP 100" STUDENTS FOR THE YEAR 2008-2009

Grade 9:

Kevin Baxter, Dallas Bonner, Joshua Campbell, Ryan Carey, Alyssa Christmann, Jessica Crews, Sean Delong, Laura Donovan, Olivia Dyer, Jillian Falla, Robert Fernandes, Christopher Grouchy, Lauren Grubb, Joshua Hoekstra, Julianne Hoekstra, Laura Howard, Natalie lezzi, Justin Jones, Jesse Lee Labrecque, Kurt Lukas, Matthew Peters, Brendan Petersen, Clara Quinn, Danielle Quinn, Patrick Quinn, Kristen Rockwell, Taylor Shandraw, Laiken Starreveld, Mikaela Stogryn, Timothy Tedford, Kyle Tilley, Kenneth Turcotte,Vanessa Watts.

Grade 10:

Brooke Bartley, Tyler Boyce, Taylor Buck, Hilary Calderwood, Alison Carter, John Cheesebrough, Laura Cleave, Daniel Cleveland, Jenny Daeun Chung, Albert Fledderus, Hannah Gillespie, Amanda Jones, Brandon Kober, Shayne Lasher, Kathryn McDonald, Erin McKee, Katelin Moffatt, Christopher Pennington, Marie Robertson, Matthew Robins, Dalton Ross, Erin Salmon, Taran Schubert, Katelin Simpkins, Katrin Soolepp, Prianka St. John,Haleigh Top, Lauren Vandertoorn, Brittany Wade, Lauren Walker, Jade Wallace, Vivienne Wan Ching Wu, Wei Wei Yan.

Grade 11:

Caroline Aubrey, Samantha Bryant, Zachary Carswell, Maria Colasante, Shelby Davies, Geraint Element, Tracy Fledderus, Mackenzie Haisma, Alicia Hillier, Jessica Keough, Kelly Kew, Anne Kim, Chelsey Labrecque, Kayla Lansley, Shelby LeBlanc, Jessica Loucks, Jessica Milligan, Laura Mueller, Carly Mylles, Amanda O'Brien, Mackenzie O'Brien, Jennifer Pitcher, Jocelyn Pitcher, Nicole Quinn, April Reilly, Hilary Seymour, Natalie Stone, Rachel Tedford, Shannon Turner, Robyn Van Es, Sophia Whang, Emily Wheatley, Jason Worobetz.

“WHAT’S HAPPENING ……. at the Colborne Legion?”

Hello everyone. Hope you all enjoyed your summer … what there was of it! It doesn’t seem possible that it is almost over and the children will soon be back to school. Time just seems to fly by.

If you missed my last column I would like to introduce you to our new executive that took over June 1st. Our President, Patti May, has agreed to continue in this very challenging position. Here is the remainder of the executive: 2nd Vice President is Ira Wile (Legion Seniors, Nevada); Secretary is Paul Coleman; Sergeant-at-Arms is Bill Bachellier (Service Officer, Poppy); Honourary Treasurer is Gord Gray; Chaplain is Rev. Barbara-Anne Ramer; Immediate Past President Jack Heighton; Marilyn Babcock (Ways & Means); Ray Babcock (Bar); Sandra Boland (Trillium); Shaun Godfrey (Sports); Marlene Harnden (Membership); Nancy Heighton (Bingo, Shop & Support); Gerry Ivanski (Trillium); Jim White (House & Property) and Faye Wile (Public Relations, Honours & Awards).

As I’m writing this we are preparing to have a gathering in the clubroom to say farewell to Kim & Scott Hickson. They have to move back to London due to Scott’s health. We’re going to miss both of them but Kim is sure she’ll be back for visits in the near future.

Our hard working Ladies Auxiliary has a new executive as well.
President is Tracey Loveless; Immediate Past President is Ruth Millar; 1st Vice President is Pam vanVelzen, Secretary is Kathy Marcellus; Treasurer is Nancy Heighton; Sports Officer is Susie Smith; Executive Committee consists of Sandra Boland, Carol Barkhouse, Grace Middleton, Seana Heighton and Norma Ainsworth.
If you would like to rent our Banquet Room and have the Ladies Auxiliary cater your next event for you, you can call Tracey Loveless at 905-355-3488 or call the Branch at 905-355-5479 and leave a message with the bar steward.
The Ladies Auxiliary do a wonderful job with very reasonable prices.

As most of you probably know, the first Friday of every month we have a delicious roast beef dinner. Actually, our next roast beef dinner will be Friday, October 2. Our September 4 roast beef dinner is cancelled because the very next evening, Saturday, September 5, we are having our annual Steak and Hamburger BBQ Dinner. The attendance at this event grows each year so come early to enjoy the great food and the fun time we always have. We start serving at 5:00 p.m. until about 6:30 p.m. For $12.00 you get a fabulous steak, baked potato, corn on the cob, broccoli and cauliflower salad, a salad bar with all the fixings, special biscuits, tea and coffee, and a delicious apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. For $8.00 you get a scrumptious hamburger with all the above sides as well. Tell your friends – everyone is welcome.

On a side note, you will be seeing our newly installed floor in the banquet room. There is more work to be done yet but we’re really enjoying the new look that has started to emerge.

The theme for our September 18 mid month meal is back by popular demand. We are serving a variety of Shepherd Pies. A traditional shepherd’s pie with hamburger meat topped with mashed potatoes, a turkey shepherd’s pie topped with dumplings and a Mexican shepherd’s pie topped with corn bread. Something for everyone … or a scoop of each if you want. This will be served with Caesar salad, fresh baked corn bread and a fabulous graham cracker pie. Yum. All this, with tea and coffee, for $10.00.

We are always trying to think up new ways to keep The Colborne Legion alive and well. Our next fundraiser will be a Gift Certificate Draw. Tickets are available at the bar in the Clubroom and at all of our dinners and are $2 each or 3 for $5.00. The lucky winner will receive $500.00 worth of certificates from our Shop and Support vendors. There are many well known retailers available through the program including grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores and gas stations. Wow, what a great opportunity to win some great gift certificates while helping to support the Colborne Legion Branch operations. This Certificate draw will be held on November 11th --- Remembrance Day.

I would also like to remind you that Darts are starting up again on Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. You don’t have to be a Legion member to join this great, fun league.

Line Dancing is also starting back up on Tuesday, September 22 at 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Come on out and, for only $5.00, get some exercise while having some real “yeehaw” fun for two hours.

Our 55 Club is always looking for new members to play cards and darts every Tuesday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. All are welcome and everyone seems to have a very enjoyable afternoon.

The 4th Sunday of every month, except during the summer, we have a pool tournament. The first one will be on Sunday, September 27, 2009. For more details call the Branch at 905-355-5479.

Traditionally, every year LEGION WEEK starts on the third Sunday in September. The Colborne Legion will be open to the public for this week. Everyone is welcome to come out during our week of ”Open House” and enjoy what we have planned for our members and the general public. During Legion Week we will have our branch open and some of our executive members will try to be available to show you around and answer your questions or just to enjoy a beverage with you. Bring some friends and enjoy a game of pool or play some card games – euchre, crib etc.

If you would like to become a Legion member, we will have application forms available. We will try to let the public, and all veterans whether members or not, know how important Legion branches are to their communities and how we can help. Come on out and see how this great organization works. Our Branch is open every day at 1 p.m. Closing times are: Sunday to Wednesday at 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m. and Saturday we close at 8 p.m. Remember, everyone is welcome and we hope to see many, many people during this week. You don’t have to be a Legion member, during Legion week, to enjoy what we have to offer. Comrades, come on out and support your Branch.

Just a reminder about our ongoing events. The first Friday of every month, except September 4, we have a delicious roast beef dinner from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. This is really growing in popularity and from what I’ve heard, everyone really enjoys the quality of the dinner as well as the low price of just $10.00. The third Friday of every month we have a different themed dinner. In the past we have had a chicken BBQ, Fish Fry, Christmas in July, Pasta Dinner, and for October, yup, you guessed it, it will be an Octoberfest theme. All of our meals include a couple of vegetables, soup or salad, bread or rolls, tea and coffee and a scrumptious dessert. Every Saturday we hold meat draws. You have a chance to win 3 pieces of meat at 3 p.m., 3 pieces at 4 p.m. and 3 pieces at 5 p.m. Our patio is open and the comradeship is great. Come on out and see why the Colborne Legion is called the friendly Branch.

I’ll sign off for now and look forward to seeing you at some of our events. And remember, I continue to advertise in the local papers and the radio station and we have colourful flyers placed in and around the Colborne area to keep you informed of “what’s happening ….. at the Colborne Legion”.

Bye for now, and see you soon.

Yours in comradeship,
Faye Wile
Public Relations & Communication
The Colborne Legion

Housing Facts

Here are some interesting housing-related facts put forward at the August 20 housing strategy meeting at the Keeler Centre.

Stable and secure housing provides a foundation for people to escape poverty. It reduces the need for government services. It attracts and keeps skilled workers.

The provincial and federal governments are combining to provide $1.2 billion which will be used to add 4,500 affordable housing units and repair 50,000 others in Ontario.

There are 3.2 million homeowners in Ontario and 1.3 million renters. Twenty percent of renters live in social housing. Abouot 6,000 Ontarians use shelters daily.

In Northumberland County there about 6.500 people living in poverty. The average rent in Cobourg is $875 plus utilities.

There are 284 households waiting for subsidized housing - almost all have family incomes under $20,000.

The Salvation Army Rent Bank assists 39 households.

The Northumberland Shelter for Women provided shelter for 131 women in 2007.

There were 13 teen mothers served by Alpha House in the same year.

Food 4 All warehouse distributed 263,604 pounds of food in 2007.

One in six children in Canada live in poverty.

In the area served by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit there are 4,000 families with children who live iin poverty.

A minimum wage of $10 per hour is needed to meet basic needs.

Councillor Van Egmond then reiterated an earlier statement, blaming the organisers of the meeting for not holding it first at the site where people could discuss the proposals and alternatives. By meeting at the township office first, the team which was planning the project could provide a unified statement and the site would become secondary to the discussion. Then, at the site, the company and consultant would give lip service to the locals.

When Ms. Preston took credit for the format of the meeting, the councillor went on blasting, "You're wrong. You put together a combined effort and push it through. You pick a circle on a map, drive around and pick a spot. You get only one response and you send your reply back late."

It seemed that the site-selection procedure suggested by the councillor was close to the one actually used. Mrs. Clarey asked why they had not considered another location up the hill from the Hambletons and was told it had no power. Her comments that it did were supported when the group went to the site later in the afternoon.

Ms. Preston's admission brought a further acknowledgment by Mr. Narday that the process was flawed, and a suggestion that, in future there should be public meetings as part of the process.

His comment brought a tart, "Not done," from the councillor.

Even discussion among the principals involved appeared to be difficult as they could not agree on the impact of the newly proposed tower location behind the Hambleton barn.

Councillor Van Egmond's fears appeared to be supported to answers to the next question by Mrs. Clarey. When she asked why others hadn't been consulted regarding hosting the tower, Mr. Narday responded that Mr. Hambleton had agreed to take it. There was no need.

Mrs. Clarey applauded the actions of Cramahe Council on August 11 by telling the group that there would have been no August 21 meeting if council had rubber stamped the Barrett request. She and her husband were disturbed that they had not been suitably notified of the August 11 meeting which they missed.

Ms Goddard-Sarria replied that she had called them on the Monday before the Tuesday, August 11 meeting and gotten no response. She didn't want to call earlier because she wanted "to see if there were other issues."

Determined to defuse the situation, Mr. Davey agreed to look at alternative locations when they travelled to the site.

A visit to the area where the tower is to be located did produce several other possible sites an an adjacent 200-acre property. The proposals would not affect the aesthetics of the concerned residents.

Mr. Narday took measurements while there and his findings will be sent to company engineers for analysis. The results will be reported back to the county and then to the people concerned within 1-2 weeks.

Mr. Davey promised that changes will be made if, "engineering pans out and there is no impact on the project".

He concluded the hillside meeting by stating, "We understand what it takes to do business in a rural area. It's not our style, even if that's the way it is perceived."

Mr. Davey stated early in the discussions that he wanted to work with the residents. The decision of his company regarding the Cramahe tower location will prove whether he actually meant what he said or was giving lip-service to resident concerns.

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Colborne Eastside Variety

At COLBORNE EASTSIDE VARIETY

              we have something for everyone!

coffee


snacks


bottled water


pop


full service gas,

diesel and propane


cigarettes


Players in uniform pay 20% less for ice cream on Thursdays!


bottled water


car wash




Open

Mon. - Fri. 5am to 8 pm
Thursdays to 9 pm
Weekends 6am to 8 pm

109 King Street East

Thursday night is soccer night - come and get your ice cream!
                                     Bottle returns - 9-6 daily

Heritage Cramahe's application for provincial award

Historical Context

Local newspaper editor Eileen Argyris’ history of Cramahe Township and Colborne in 2000 opens with John Ralston Saul’s phrase that “the past is not the past, it is the context.” Without an awareness of heritage that has been built over 200 years and that then is integrated into its modern life, Cramahe would lose its visible distinctiveness, its own narrative, its sense of place. Cramahe deserves recognition by the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Community Leadership Program, for heritage is a value that is a fundamental aspect for sustaining this community. We draw your attention in particular to the record of the years 1995-2009, during which an awareness of heritage has progressively been built, becoming a unifying force for the two distinct local entities that were summarily amalgamated by the province on January 1, 2001.

This summer marks the celebration by Cramahe Township of the 150th anniversary of the organization of Colborne into a separate municipality. The township – originally much larger - was officially created in 1792, and the town’s own history certainly predates the opening of the first store in 1815. Settlement in the township began to create a regional identity in the first decade of the nineteenth century, the very first “Late” Loyalist having arrived in 1793. Many of these settlers had ventured north from the Albany region of New York and west from Vermont while the area around Salem east of Colborne had been a land grant to an officer commanding a provincial regiment, Col. Peters. The founders that commissioned the first survey laying out a town-site around a village square (infrequently used in Ontario) were the first two generations of the Joseph Keeler family, the settlement originally being known as Keeler’s Tavern. (M. McBurney and M. Byers, Homesteads, U T P, Toronto, 1979, 144-155). Indeed, according to this source, two frame homes dating to the War of 1812 period and still in good condition on King St., (old highway 2) nearby each other might be the original Keeler tavern (146-147) for the one locally associated with the Keeler name was not actually family property until 1832. The town that had also been known as The Corners, was renamed while Sir John Colborne was Lt. Governor, possibly after a visit by Sir John to the Cobourg area with the Keelers. (E. Argyris, How Firm a Foundation, Boston Mills, Erin, Ontario, 2000, 39)

“Young Joe” Keeler (surely a distinctive Ontarioism) is also credited with advancing the project of building the Murray Canal to the Bay of Quinte at Carrying Place, as well as the founding of Norwood on the Trent River, and the mill village of Castleton ten kms. north of Colborne. (The Purdy grist mill with its equipment still stands in Castleton and its designation is currently being considered by the owner and the Heritage Committee.) Transportation links between these three settlements by stage coach from three railway stations in Colborne linked eastern Northumberland County, and the Grand Trunk/CN station remained in use from its opening in 1856 until its closure in 1968. Both Castleton and Colborne were therefore centres of local government until their amalgamation for this century, the one of a rural township, the other a small town whose economic fortunes were closely tied to the region’s agriculture.

Heritage Today
Both the public and private resources of such a small and largely rural community are limited. Modest municipal budgets are consumed by the provision of essential services, while most industries are not large employers. Until its sudden and regrettable closing this year, the community was well-served by a weekly newspaper, The Colborne Chronicle, which undoubtedly contributed to the ability of small community groups to attain visibility. Several of these have participated with Council and its own committees of volunteer members to sustain a community awareness of local and regional heritage.

Examples of effective consultation by Council with Cramahe’s Heritage Committee and the wider community include:
• Designation of several heritage edifices and consultation about signage and events.
Ed. note - Cramahe has designated 14 properties in the township including three churches (Shiloh, Castleton and Salem), Victoria Square and the former Orient Hotel in Castleton
• Redesign of King St. in Colborne (through a design competition) to modernize it but also to retain its character as a wide market-town street with angle parking on each side, replacing its previous unique but traffic-slowing configuration.
• Heritage murals painted on three buildings for 2000, and township assistance for the surface restoration of the original brick face of the Queen’s Hotel in Colborne, and the private residence, and former Inn at the central cross-roads of Castleton in 2007.
• Victoria Park (Colborne’s original town square that has been designated): re-installation of the fire bell this summer that had once stood in a park tower facing the high school (now re-used as the Town Hall of the township), addition of a suitably designed gazebo this summer; reconstruction of the fountain in 2006 - copying its original design.
• Printed pamphlet of a self-guided heritage walking tour of Colborne and Castleton; guided tours of Colborne by Heritage Committee members during town festivals.
• Inclusion of local homes and gardens in various Northumberland garden/open house tours; a Cramahe home and gardens tour in 2008 in support of the Castleton Townhall restoration organized by the Friends of Castleton Townhall.
• Harmonious restoration and upkeep work on the area’s brick, stone and “carpenter gothic” frame churches; examples include the 1997 replacement of the steeple of St. Peter’s Anglican church (opened in Colborne in 1846), the anniversary restoration of the top of the steeple of 1861 Salem United Church in 2008; exterior restoration work in 2008 on Colborne United Church (1830-31) and earlier repairs to Old St. Andrew’s locally quarried limestone building in Colborne (1830).
• Commemorative plaque and readings at Salem church events of the poetry of Edna Jaques whose work includes a poem about the Salem church cemetery.
• Publication in 2000 of a fine local history source, Eileen Argyris, How Firm a Foundation, a highly readable study that places the town into its regional context, and includes fascinating vignettes of individuals who fashioned and sustained a sense of community through several decades of work. (Read the narrative on Eliza Padginton, the local postmaster, and United Church Sunday school teacher for seventy five years who unfailingly wrote regular letters to “her boys” serving in four wars from 1899 to 1953).

Two community heritage projects stand out.

1. The Colborne Registry Office

The 1859 Registry office in Colborne stood empty after land records were transferred to Cobourg in 1992. In 1995 the LACAC’s advice was accepted that the Neo-classical, barrel-vaulted brick building be purchased from the province (this was done for a dollar) and designated. The Colborne Council, concerned about the deterioration of the building’s internal space, canvassed the community for suggestions about its re-use. The leading ideas to be advanced were a local museum, a “History Centre” and an art gallery to be managed by a local cooperative of fourteen artists.

The artists’ cooperative received the hall to manage, with one room reserved for local historical materials, and rotating art exhibits from the current seven local artists in the cooperative are shown in three of the four rooms. Individual shows are also mounted. A local heritage room occupies the fourth, its exhibits and space renewed by the Heritage Committee and exhibit director in 2008. Although rather inflexible space, it is quite a lovely gallery. In recent years small grants in support of the cooperative’s costs for upkeep of the building have come from other local volunteer groups, such as the Northumberland Film Society. The Registry Office is a fine example of community input creating a physical cultural presence within the community, where otherwise no such centre would exist. All over this province it is difficult to maintain town centres that sustain vitality and commercial/professional services, and commercial success on King St. in Colborne varies considerably; the gallery/historical centre with its proven success is now one of the street’s anchors.

2. The Castleton Town Hall

The village of Castleton north of Colborne was the government seat of Cramahe Township prior to 2001. It sits at the cross-roads of two county roads that take traffic west or to the east and north of Rice Lake toward Warkworth and the summer Westben Music Festival at Campbellford, this crossing forming a T junction in the village’s centre. Today, Castleton is the eastern terminus of the Oakridges Moraine Trail. The T is outlined by three remarkable historic buildings that together provide a continuing and evocative historical presence: an imposing square frame private home that once was a large Inn; a large frame general store that may be one of the finest such stores remaining in active business in the southern province, and the red brick Castleton Town Hall. The township had purchased the lots north and south of the Hall, thereby opening vistas of the building’s intricate brickwork; and its classical design, pilasters, and large classically curved, coloured-glass windows in both stories are thereby easily observed. This beautifully proportioned 1893 building is, in Philip Carter’s words, “a gem.”

The Hall also tells us of community vision over a century ago. In the well-lit, raised basement were the municipal offices, jail cell, walk-in vault; these were intact; the offices were turned into a small library branch after 2001 – but not into well-designed space for either library or community meeting purposes. The main floor, accessed originally by twinned wide stairways to right and left from the central door was a hall where Council met, with stage, and rear balcony, lit by four large windows on each side and a curved classical window at the rear of the stage. Although the room was in constant use by a variety of community groups, the era of lectures and local amateur theatre and concerts was only a faint memory, and its physical condition – unsightly, close to dreadful.

The building bespoke makeshift usage; it was fast becoming a stark symbol of division between the old township and the new amalgamation, especially since the municipal resources had been exhausted building the Keeler Centre and arena in the largest population centre - Colborne. While the Heritage Committee had demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of this space and had designated the building, municipal resources did not begin to meet the financial requirements for its upkeep; its professional restoration was not even being discussed. At this juncture, the Township’s Recreation Committee in 1995 also wished to revitalize the building and convinced a divided Council, supported by the Heritage Committee, after informal advice had been sought from Will Greer, to commission a Heritage assessment report. Philip Carter, as Greer suggested, was successfully sought out for this purpose. In the meantime, removal of plywood paneling along the walls and the false ceiling had nearly exhausted local funds and had rendered the space unusable. Community reaction to its closure was robust.

The solution lay with this new professional advice, the formation of a “Friends of Castleton Town Hall” umbrella support group of volunteers, consultation with leaders of all user groups, the seeking of several provincial grants once Carter’s report was completed, and vigorous local newspaper coverage. Although no Heritage grants have supported this restoration, several others along with local fundraising and municipal contributions have provided the means for the successful completion of this large municipal Heritage project.

The early redeployment of the building was essential to several local groups, - “just get on with it” - but sympathetic restoration that would not harm the original fabric or the building’s design was a leading element of the community’s ongoing decisions. It would have been easy to jettison such professional care, by simply prioritizing the employment of local contractors with modern mortar and track lighting; instead Mayor, a united Council, staff, community groups, the newspaper all bought in to the vision of modernizing this building through being faithful to its unique physical setting, its design, and its many detailed features. The result is a stunning community achievement.

The makeshift kitchen in a stairway landing is gone, the sagging balcony re-stabilized, deteriorated supports replaced, a matching stairway to one side of the hall re-opened, the original stage restored, food-serving facilities hidden from view under the balcony. An accessible washroom was created upstairs to one side of the stage and another in the basement jail cell (complete with retained metal door, window bars and wall graffiti). The original back-stage window was uncovered; new ceiling, plumbing, electrical work and suitable lighting installed, the walls painted in “Castleton Green.” In order to restore the stairway symmetry, a lift was rejected in favour of external ramps up to the back west door from the parking area for upstairs access on the north side of the stage, and separately down to a side library door that has replaced the a middle lower window. Thus, modern safety standards have required that compromises be made, but the restoration and enhancement of the building’s heritage qualities and features, the renewal of its architects’ original vision, and use of the multi-purpose edifice to sustain village and rural community life locally as well as for public functions throughout the township have guided this project throughout the past three years.

This extensive, and at junctures controversial, project was planned and effectively overseen by municipal staff and completed on budget; the Mayor has been a project generator (not merely a supporter) from the outset and Council has joined with him; the editor of The Colborne Chronicle provided extensive coverage and editorials that supported the building’s renewal throughout the public meetings and “Friends’” discussions. Ongoing, integrated consultation was the password. When, in 2008, the Library Committee considered reducing costs by consolidating into its larger library, community reaction in Castleton was swift and unified, with wider support from “the south” and in adjacent areas of Haldimand. The restoration was working its magic. This space is now being reconfigured into an open-plan small branch, along with a designated historical collections/archive room. The Heritage Committee is planning two public lectures on historical themes for the hall this fall, re-launching the building’s vision of 1893. Colborne’s sesqui symbolically is extending “north,” as befits its history.

The Castleton town hall restoration meets the highest Heritage standards of this province! The progressive nurturing of Heritage values within this small community constitutes a cumulative record that merits Ontario Heritage Trust recognition.

Colborne Legion News June 29

“WHAT’S HAPPENING …… at the Colborne Legion?”

Hello everyone. It’s been quite a while since I last submitted a column and a lot of great stuff has been happening at the Colborne Legion. First of all, as of June 1st, we have a new executive. Actually, it pretty well stayed the same as last year with a couple of very welcome additions.

Our President, Patti May, has agreed to continue in this very challenging position. Here is the remainder of the executive: 1st Vice President is Kim Hickson; 2nd Vice President is Ira Wile (Legion Seniors, Nevada); Secretary is Paul Coleman; Sergeant-at-Arms is Bill Bachellier (Service Officer, Poppy);
Honourary Treasurer is Gord Gray; Chaplain is Rev. Barbara-Anne Ramer; Immediate Past President Jack Heighton; Marilyn Babcock (Ways & Means); Ray Babcock (Bar); Sandra Boland (Trillium); Shaun Godfrey (Sports); Marlene Harnden (Membership); Nancy Heighton (Bingo, Shop & Support); Gerry Ivanski (Trillium); Jim White (House & Property) and Faye Wile (Public Relations, Honours & Awards).

Sunday, June 21 The Colborne Legion had a very successful Father’s Day Breakfast where all fathers ate for free and all others paid just $5.00. (We treated the mothers for Mother’s Day on May 10 with the same idea).

On Friday, July 3, The Colborne Legion will be having our regular monthly roast beef dinner from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. for $10.00 per person. Along with roast beef and mashed potatoes, we plan to serve brussel sprouts, a corn medley, and we will have a salad bar and a lovely raspberry layered dessert along with tea and coffee. Come on out and bring your friends because everyone is welcome.

On Friday, July 17, we are planning our 2nd annual “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” with deep fried turkeys, cranberry sauce, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, caesar salad, buns and a wonderful “pumpkin pie crunch” for dessert. Where else can you eat this type of delicious food, served by our friendly volunteers, for only $10.00 per person?

On Saturday, July 18, our very own Percy Foster turns 90 years young. We plan to honour him with a lovely afternoon of comradeship, great food, and a birthday cake. Come on out to the Colborne Legion and have a fun afternoon while celebrating one of our veterans birthdays. Anyone who knows Percy will always remember him by his nickname “Mr. Piano Man” because he has entertained us so well over the years. Percy knows that we are planning a surprise … but he doesn’t know just who will be coming to celebrate with him.

On Saturday, July 25, The Colborne Legion will be having a 9 hole mixed golf tournament. There will be a 9 a.m. shot gun start at Salt Creek Golf Course. $45.00 includes a cart and a meal and lots and lots of prizes. The first 44 people paid are in. Sign up sheets are on the Sports Board in the Club Room. Please call Judith at 905-355-2279 for more information. You do not have to be a Legion member to play.

Colborne turns 150 years young this year. The Colborne Legion will be doing our part by holding a Bar B Q on Friday, July 31 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy your dinner just before going to the outdoor movie. More details will follow. Look for our colourful flyers placed in and around the Colborne area.

On Friday, August 7, The Colborne Legion will be having our monthly roast beef dinner. Along with our usual roast beef and mashed potatoes, we will be serving a couple of vegetables, soup or salad, dessert and tea and coffee.

On Saturday, August 8 the whole town of Colborne celebrates Trash and Treasures weekend. The Colborne Legion will be having their usual GIANT inside yard sale with lots and lots of bargains. Outside, the BBQ will be fired up offering hamburgs, hot dogs, sausages and of course – fried onions.

The Food Bank Needs Help

I would like to put a very special “call out for help” for the Cramahe Community Food Bank. This is a very important and very worthwhile service to the community in providing much needed food to our needy families in the area. High demand is putting a severe strain on resources; food & cash. This is critical. Your help is needed.

Donations can be dropped off to the branch or given to those at the food bank. The branch will be placing a box out to take donations at each of its public events. A donation box is always available at Foodland. Anyone who finds themselves with an abundance of fruits and vegetables are asked to consider the food bank.

You may be interested to know that the food left over from the many dinners we put on, that can’t be frozen for future use, is turned over to our Chaplain who makes sure it gets to families who can put it to good use.

Ongoing Events

And please don’t forget our ongoing events … yes, even during the hot summer months you can mosey over to the Colborne Legion and enjoy a nice cold beverage and nice warm comradeship.

The first Friday of every month, The Colborne Legion has a delicious Roast Beef Dinner from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10.00 for adults and includes, along with roast beef and mashed potatoes, a couple of vegetables, soup or salad, bread or rolls, a wonderful dessert and tea and coffee. Please bring your friends because everyone is welcome

The third Friday of every month, The Colborne Legion has a different themed dinner from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. It might be lasagna, it might be chicken, it might be ….. well just about anything …. but it’s always delicious, it’s always home made and it’s always served by our friendly volunteers. And, it’s always just $10.00 for adults.

Every Saturday, The Colborne Legion has a meat draw starting at 3 p.m. Draws will be at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. A total of 9 pieces of meat are available for lucky winners each week ….. 3 pieces at 3 o’clock, 3 pieces at 4 o’clock and 3 pieces at 5 o’clock. Our Club Room is open from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome.

I sincerely wish you all a very happy and safe summer and look forward to seeing you at some of these events.

Yours in comradeship,

Faye Wile

Faye Wile
Public Relations and Communications
Colborne Legion

Black Dress Menu Choices

Menu Choices

Meats:
Roast Beef, Turkey, Chicken (Roasted, Quartered, Breast), Pork (Roasted, Pulled), Ham

Potatoes:
Boiled, Mashed, Baked, Roasted, Scalloped

Vegetables:
Corn, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Peas, Green Beans, Squash, Turnip, Mixed, Brussel sprouts

Salads:
Cabbage, Potato, Caesar, Broccoli, Greek, Pasta, Garden

Desserts:
Pies, Cakes, New York-Style Cheesecake, Squares, Cookies, Fruit, Chocolate Fountain

Additional Menu Choices

Casseroles:
Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Meat Balls, Meatloaf, Lasagna, Cabbage Rolls

Appetizers:
Assorted Cheeses, Crackers, Shrimp, Assorted Dips & Spreads, Sausage Rolls

Black Dress Catering welcomes any additions and suggestions to the above choices.

Call or email Donna Rusaw at:

donnarusaw@hotmail.com or 905 355-2684.


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Luncheon Menus

Luncheon Menus

Assorted Sandwiches
Vegetables & Dip ~ Cheese ~ Crackers ~ Assorted Pickles
Salsa Dip ~ Squares
$7.00 per person


Assorted Sandwiches or Homemade Soup
Cold Meats ~ Buns ~ Condiments ~ Assorted Pickles
Vegetables & Dip ~ Cheese ~ Cracker ~ Salsa Dip
Squares
$10.00 per person


Assorted Sandwiches or Homemade Soup
One Salad ~ Cold Meats ~ Buns ~ Condiments
Assorted Pickles ~ Vegetables & Dip ~ Cheese ~ Crackers Salsa & Dip
Squares
$11.00 per person


Assorted Sandwiches or Homemade Soup
Two Salads ~ Cold Meats ~ Buns ~ Condiments
Assorted Pickles ~ Vegetables & Dip ~ Salsa & Dip
Cheese ~ Crackers
Squares
$12.50 per person

Tea & Coffee included

Prices not including Taxes and Gratuity

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