Burlington youth program finds its funding and stays alive for three more years.

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

March 30, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

It could not have come at a better time.

A particularly good idea was close being on the ropes. It had its life extended for a short period of time when Councillor Taylor, after begging for ten minutes, got his colleagues to give Community Development Halton (CDH) $10,000 to carry them until a grant they were really hoping to get came through.

The grant did come through and now CDH can move forward with some of the best neighbourhood development work this city has seen in some time

Edwardh-Joey

Joey Edwardth, guides and direct Community Development Halton – pulled in a grant that will keep a program alive for three more years.

They call the project that is now funded North BurLINKton Community Group, they create spaces where young people can meet, make new friends, experience a sense of belonging, and gain leadership skills.

High school aged youth in north Burlington will secure and animate these spaces with the support of adult allies

These are people who could be and often are at risk of falling between the cracks. They come from poorer neighbourhoods; few if any of them are members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band or one of the hockey leagues – that kind of money doesn’t float around the kitchen table in these homes.

The province came through with a Youth Opportunities Fund grant of $181,700 over 30 months to create neighbourhood spaces.

This project will address the objectives of the Youth Opportunities Fund that expects youth to form and maintain healthy, close relationships and to engage their communities.

Risha Burke

Risha Burke, the Community Development Halton that is in the field working with community and helping stitch together the pieces that make it all come together.

The program allows CDH to put staff into the community to facilitate, direct guide, advise and support as they develop the social structures that keep them focused and – to be blunt about it – keep them out of trouble.

The North BurLINKton Community is an emerging grass roots group that has shown it can, with some mentoring and guidance create inclusive and friendly neighbourhoods that help people connect and increase their sense of belonging.

This initiative comes at a perfect time, allowing the North BurLINKton Community Group to move forward building on the neighbourhood development work of community members and partners over the past few years. The initiative will be supported by adults but lead by youth, tapping into the potential of extraordinary young people in north Burlington neighbourhoods.

The city supported the program for two years – providing about $85,000 each year but decided this wasn’t the kind of community work they should be doing.

The programs and policies they developed have worked there way into other parts of the city and, with some leadership will be passed along to other municipalities in the Region.

These are dollars spent that return real value to the city. The program now has funding for the next three years – time enough to prove that it works and figure out how to fund it properly.

Community development in Burlington tends to fall between that space at city hall and the space at the Regional office – social issues are seen as the responsibility of the Region but they tend to define social a little differently than more progressive community leaders.

Our Regional Councillors will do almost anything for a photo-op; this time they are showing you the new 2 gallon blue boxes.

Regional Councillors  showing you the new 2 gallon blue boxes.  Region tends to focus on waste, water and roads – people don’t rank very high on their agenda.

Water and sewage pipes. Waste collection and road repair tends to occupy the minds of those at the regional level; what mind space is left gets used on determining what development charges should be.

People get lost at the higher level of local government.

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Got culture? Burlington wants your input for Culture Days in September.

News 100 blueBy Staff

March 29, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Culture has taken on a deeper commitment from city council, due in large part from a delegation made by Trevor Copp, who asked city council why he had to travel to Toronto to ply his trade.

The Performing Arts Centre had opened and was going through a difficult phase but the public had become used to the place and had begun to understand that the city was going to have to continue to subsidize it forever.

In 2009 the federal government created and funded Culture Days which was to become a national network of cultural connections to provide Canadians with opportunities to participate in, and appreciate, all forms of art and culture.

Noack interview - city culture days 014

Different artists were able to take a tent during Culture Days last September and paint or sculpt of make pottery in Civic Square

Through a three-day national celebration each September, hundreds of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in cities and towns come together and invite Canadians to discover their cultural spirit and passion.

This national initiative aims to raise the awareness, provide accessibility and encourage the participation and engagement of residents in the arts and cultural life of Burlington.

Burlington’s 2014 Culture Days was a resounding success due in large part to their being staff dedicated to managing the event.

The push from the cultural community and the creation of the No Vacancy event put new energy into culture at the street level.

The holding of the first No Vacancy event in 2013 at the Waterfront Hotel was what appears to be the beginning of the community creating its own events. No Vacancy is a private initiative that gets peanuts from the city.

The sixth annual Culture Days weekend will take place from Sept. 25 to 27, 2015.

A workshop will be held on Friday, April 24 at the Burlington Art Gallery for Culture Days event organizers to learn about resources available from the city and Culture Days Ontario. Space is limited and registration is required. RSVP to Adam Belovari, culture coordinator at adam.belovari@burlington.ca or 905-335-7600, ext. 7335.

Local creative organizations, venues, professionals and businesses are again invited to host events during the Culture Days to promote free, hands-on and interactive activities. The public is invited to participate in behind-the-scenes activities to see how artists; creators; historians; architects; curators; designers; and other creative people work and contribute to culture in Burlington.

Trevor Copp talks with Angela Pap during the unveiling of the Spiral Stella at the Performing Arts Centre earlier in the week.

Trevor Copp talks with Angela Pap during the unveiling of the Spiral Stella at the Performing Arts Centre earlier in the week.  Paparizo is now the manager of Arts and  Cultural for the city.

Paparizo, manager of arts and culture,

Angela Paparizo, manager of arts and culture expects to repeat the 2014 success in 2015, offering three days featuring different types of events, working closely with Doors Open, the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Libraries, Burlington Museums, Tourism Burlington and Burlington artists to make this happen.

This national initiative aims to raise the awareness, provide accessibility and encourage the participation and engagement of residents in the arts and cultural life of Burlington. For more information, or to participate in Culture Days, visit www.burlington.ca/culturedays or contact Angela Paparizo, manager of arts and culture, at angela.paparizo@burlington.ca or 905-335-7600, ext. 7352.

The Sound of Music kicks off the festival season for the city. Rib Fest follows, then the third year of the No Vacancy offering which will take place on Old Lakeshore Road this year and then the three Cultural days in late September.

The city came very close to having an ArtFest on Old Lakeshore Road as well but the “adamant refusal’ by three business owners on the Old Lakeshore Road put the boots to that opportunity. Council wanted the event – the event planner wanted to hold it in Spencer smith Park but they couldn’t get together on a date.

Artfest layout of space

It would have been a major arts event – drawing several thousand people to the city and to a part of town that has significant potential as a location. No one is saying who the tree commercial establishments that said no way to the idea – they felt their business would suffer.

The effort to bring a large art sales event to the city by an experienced and proven promoter started back in October of 2014 – everyone was involved in the effort but three business people apparently would not budge so the planned 100 tents spread out along Old Lakeshore Road housing the wares of different arts won’t happen this year.

Emma’s Back Porch was so keen on the idea that they agreed to turn over their parking lot for the event. They had gone so far as to plan an Artists Feast for the occasion.

Expect this event to come back for another try.

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Take an “Egg-Cellent” Adventure on the City’s Website

Event 100By Staff

March 27, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

They want you to figure out how the city web site works and discover the new features and enhancements of the city’s website, www.burlington.ca.

Hunting for easter eggs

Are these citizens of Burlington looking for information on the city’s web site or are they just stocking up on Easter eggs?

Starting with the homepage, adventurers will discover several new features of the redesigned website such as news and alert subscriptions, the events calendar and service requests. Upon completion, residents will be asked to fill out a short survey for a chance to win a chocolate prize pack including a Parks and Recreation gift certificate.

“Residents have told us they prefer to do business with the city online,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “The new web enhancements and features make it easier to make service requests, stay informed and become involved.”

Another reason is – you usually can’t find or get through to who you want by telephone.

Let’s see how this on-line egg hunt works – The Gazette will try it and let you know how we do – you try it and let us know if you win a chocolate prize pack including a Parks and Recreation gift certificate. We wondering what is going to be in that gift certificate

The Egg-cellent adventure closes Thursday, April 9, 2015.

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Sp'egg'tacular Easter Event at Ireland House - free fun day!

Event 100By Staff

March 27, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The sisters are excited about the upcoming Sp’egg’tacular Easter Event being held at Ireland House to support The Museums of Burlington.

Rocca Sisters & Associates sponsor the event as a thank you to our incredible clients and community for all the support you have shown us throughout the year.

WHEN: Sunday, March 29, 2015
TIME: 11am to 4pm
WHERE: Ireland House at Oakridge Farm – 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington

Enjoy a day full of Easter fun that will include an exciting Easter egg hunt with free goody bags for children of all ages from 11am – 2pm!

Rocca Sisters Fashion Show

Sp’egg’tacular Easter Event is a Rocca Sisters Real Estate sponsored event with the Museums of Burlington taking place at |Ireland House.

Additional activities to enjoy include Princesses Elsa and Anna from Frozen greeting children until 1pm, visits with the Easter Bunny, Easter crafts, carnival style games, face painting, vendors and helium balloons plus a take-away from the Horticultural Society. There is also a fantastic silent auction for adults, a prize bazaar and free raffle for children, live entertainment and more!

Visit the Ireland House Homestead and imagine life as it was over 175 years ago. There will be baking demonstrations and sampling, natural egg dying, costumed historic interpreters, traditional artisan demonstrators, and tours of the house.

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Burlington artist profiled in a collection that celebrates Canadian talent.

News 100 redBy Staff

March 26, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Brick Books, a London Ontario shop is celebrating 40 years of publication with an innovative ‘Celebration of Canadian Poetry’ for the entire year. Burlington artist Margaret Lindsay Holton has been profiled in ‘Week 13’ of the year long program.  Dr. Carol Soucek King of California wrote the profile.

Canadian arts talent tends to get overlooked – our sports talent seldom fails to get star treatment – artists,playwrites, poets and actors seem to get forgotten.  Dr.King, refers to Holton’s book “Bush Cord” as a “really a wonderful collection for ‘wordsmiths’

The book, which went into a second edition is described by King as “the most recent collection of poetry from Canadian artist, Margaret Lindsay Holton, clearly demonstrates Holton’s talents as a wordsmith, an art photographer and a true-blue Canadian spirit.

Holton H&S

Margaret Lindsay Holton – was the picture taken with a pin-hole camera?

“In it, her deeply thoughtful and richly poetic evocations are accompanied by a striking selection of her own pinhole photographs. (Holton has, amongst other activities, exhibited her pinhole and photo-collage photography for over two decades.) The entire book unfolds cover to cover with the spacious airiness of the vast Canadian landscape. It is, thus, my honour to salute this relatively ‘unknown’ Canadian poet during this 40th anniversary year of Brick Books’ publications of new and established voices in Canadian poetry.

“Holton became my long-distance associate and friend two decades ago, when we started communicating between her studio in Southern Ontario and my residence in California. At that time, other outstanding international artists, knowing that I was compiling and writing Furniture: Architects’ and Designers’ Originals said I must see the work of a Toronto-based Canadian furniture designer, Margaret Lindsay Holton. I did not know her work then, but I soon discovered it. I was in absolute awe. A number of her finely crafted pieces – all visual poetry in wood so lustrous and charmingly turned that each one begs to be caressed — became an important focal point within the chapter on international bed design in my final book project.

“From the very beginning of our email exchanges, I soon realized that Holton was as equally creative with words. Then in 2002 her first book of poetry, ‘On Top of Mount Nemo’ was published by Acorn Press Canada of Ontario. A decade later, I read her last poetry collection, Bush Chord. Both are deeply moving, filled with rapture as well as precautionary tales. Both are so ‘her’.
To Holton, the soul of language, as much as photography, is light:

“In my pinhole photography,” explains Holton “light enters a tiny pinhole to create an atmospheric illuminated image on photographic paper. In poetry, a single word bounced between two can pinprick an ‘aha’ moment. Language, well used, is a form of light.”

Poetry and pinhole photography are, for Holton, highly engaging art forms that, she says, “allow me to interact, almost dance, beneath the full and brilliant bounty of sunlight and ‘word-light’. Both disciplines can enlighten, enhance and enlarge our everyday perceptions. We all can see anew.”

From the opening poem through to the last of Holton’s Bush Chord, the reader finds such re-envisioning of our daily life and experiences:

Bush Chord
pine poplar willow and punk wood
spit and spark
while bone hard elm birch apple and oak
hum harmonious
fine hard woods – good wood to burn
these wonder instruments pressure whistle
chattering, cheering, cackling
crackling within a hesitant cyclone of light
flickering flames
of sublime delight, warming slow, they give us life
parse this minor miracle of mega bio-physics
of holy fire drawn down
from primal sun
through leaves to rugged root shoots far flung
look here now
to this instant, brilliant burn
an intense unrehearsed liquid fire –
a sound symphony of sun struck lyres
complete and sacred
a rare but common gift
the honey musk smell of jumbled bush wood
burns deep into primal memory
(remember those crisp sun-filled fall days
of cutting, gathering, splitting, stacking,
carrying, piling, drying, and cursing
those back breaking loads?)
to get to this
this calm clear moment
listen
listen
to these bush chords
please

Holton has been a fixture in Burlington, a troublesome one in the minds of some. She seldom backs down from a point of view she has formed. In the past Holton has written for the Gazette -we hope she will return at some point.

One of her columns had her going up against an gas station owner who had filled the tank of her pick-up truck when all she had asked for was $20 worth of gas. You know who won that difference of opinion. Holton was quite comfortable with the suggestion the gas station owner made about him having someone suck the extra gas out of the tank.

If you make the mistake of telling Holton how much you liked the new City View Park – do step back – Holton has words for you about the “plastic grass” that has been installed.

Dr. King adds that she had “written some decades ago about the expertly crafted warmth, charm and wit that she brought into her award-winning furniture designs. These qualities are so deeply inherent in her Self that it should be expected that they would be cornerstones for everything else she does, especially those items produced by her writing hand.

Holton - Margaret Lindsay large

Margaret Lindsay Holton with one of her pin-hole cameras

Other titles, and items, that she has created over a forty year period include: ten books, (with her second novel, The Gilded Beaver by Anonymous, winning the Hamilton Arts Council Best Fiction Award of 1999); a newly released musical CD, “Summer Haze”; her exquisitely drawn “Lindsay” ™ typeface circa 1980; an experimental 54-minute documentary “In the Eye of the Hunter” that she co-produced, co-directed and wrote in 1984-86; the fine furniture that she designed under her MLH Productions banner (now in many notable collections worldwide, including The Royal Ontario Museum) and, last but not least, her signature and eclectic ‘naive-surreal-folk-abstract’ oil paintings.
Holton may be obscure and a relative ‘unknown’ to some in the hip urban art matrix, but her literary and artistic output, to date, is very impressive when seen from this great distance.

It seems to me that her inherent qualities of warmth, charm and wit first manifested in the works she produced when she began her artistic career apprenticing with her father, the late cabinetmaker, Luther Janna Holton of Holton Fine Furniture, Hamilton, Ontario in 1984.

Under his tutelage, she discovered and developed her own unique sense of “form,” and “harmony.” These design disciplines are rooted in time-honoured traditions, yet expressed, in Holton’s unique way, very contemporarily, with a very personal flair. These qualities have served as repeated metaphors in her assorted artworks that she then designed and made through her own studio, MLH Productions.

Holton SugarShackFreelton.mlh

In recent years Margaret Lindsay Holton has turned to painting – she holds an annual sales exhibit of her work

Today, Holton no longer designs or produces award-winning Canadian fine furniture. “In truth, the market was just too small for the calibre of work I was producing.” More’s the pity. Instead, she has shifted her focus to a more public display of her pinhole photographs, her written works and her signature paintings. Holton has exhibited widely in Canada and beyond, and she has won various jury awards and honors in those disciplines as well.

Holton Bailey'sBrow.mlh

A Margaret Lindsay Holton piece that was shown at a recent exhibit.

In sum, Holton has a distinct philosophical perspective that, in essence, could only radiate from her location on the planet. Her perspective stems from a deeply felt devotion to the magnificence of Nature “in her own backyard” and to the effervescent wonders of Life in Nature’s sphere. She is often mythical in her outlook, as much as she is literal in her production. How quirky of her to call herself a ‘canajun’ in ‘Canadada’! She is acutely aware of her distinctness that both separates her and joins her deeply to the land of her birth.

There are a lot of miles left on the moccasins Holton wears – might be time for a retrospective on everything Holton has done.  If we Canadians don’t celebrate our own – no one else will.

More information about Margaret Lindsay Holton.

Carol Soucek King, MFA, PhD, is author of twelve books on design. Her thirteenth book is Under the Bridges at Arroyo Del Rey: The Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life Its focus is the positive and uplifting thoughts that can provide substance to one’s own home, material and spiritual, and that are the purpose of the Salon she founded over nineteen years ago. Her website.

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Secondary school strike not likely before end of this school year; fees for use of school space increase by 1.36%

News 100 blueBy Walter Byj

March 26, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Following a passionate speech by delegate Peter Schuler, an aboriginal member of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the council unanimously voted to name the newest school in Oakville as Oodenawi Public School.

Oodenawi , the Ojibway translation for community, was chosen as an acknowledgement that the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation were the original inhabitants of the area now known as Halton.

The new Milton school will be called Boyne Public School which reflected the area where the school is located. Both school naming were unanimously approved.

An updated Student Trustee Policy recommendation was passed – more on that later in the week.
The balance of the school board meeting could be referred to as the “Gerry Cullen Show “the Superintendent of Facility Services presented a number of reports to the board.

The school board makes many of its facilities available through a rental permit process to the community. In Halton, as a result of a unique relationship with the board and the municipalities, the four municipalities are the primary tenants of the schools and through the parks and recreational departments they rent out the space. For the upcoming year, the rental rates will rise slightly by 1.36%.

This sparked a number of questions by the trustees. With the expansion of childcare/daycare centres at Halton schools, trustees Harvey Hope (Oakville) and Reynolds (Burlington) asked if usage of gyms as a recreation facility were being usurped by daycare usage. Superintendent Cullen assured the board that this is not a major concern as schools usually work out the problem within the school.

Trustee Gray (Halton Hills) asked if the board has any influence as to how parks and recreation rents out the space and if youth programs get their fair share of usage. Superintendent Cullen assured the board that parks and recreation are concerned with recreational activity feels that they are doing a decent job in renting out space.

Part of the massive gym set up in the Haber Recreation Centre

Part of the massive gym set up in the Haber Recreation Centre – space is rented out by the city of Burlington Parks and Recreation department

David Euale, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board is paid roughly what the Burlington city manager earns.

David Euale, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board is paid roughly what the Burlington city manager earns.  He retires in August

The city of Burlington has in the past had difficulty with all the paperwork involved in reconciling who used what when and where the funds received for use of the space is sent. For some Burlington Parks and Recreation staff – the paperwork was taking up far too much staff time.
Director of Education Eaule, who retires in August, brought the trustees up to date on the potential of a secondary school strike in Halton.

He explained that regulations in place do not allow a local board to negotiate with the Ontario secondary Schools Teachers Federation (OSSTF) until given a date by the ministry of Education. Late in February the Board and OSSTF agreed on nine meeting dates for the months of March, April and May. The dates are as follows;

March 4th 25th
April 1st, April 8th, April 15th, April 22nd,
May 6th, May 12th, May 14th

Those dates suggest there is no likelihood of a strike at the secondary level before school is out for the summer and Director Eaule has moved on to retirement.

The Director made no comment on where the negotiations are going or what the major issues are.
Chair Kelly Amos read a letter from a concerned parent who was objecting to the new health and physical education curriculum that will be introduced in September.

Kelly Amos

Chair Kelly Amos read into the record a letter from a parent opposed to the new new health and physical education curriculum curriculum.

Chair Amos said she was asked by the writer to read the letter to the trustees. The name of the author was not disclosed. Chair Amos swill respond to the writer and explained that the board is mandated to deliver the new curriculum.

Director Eaule added that the board will address parent’s concerns by explaining what options are available if they do not want their children attending these classes.

Other trustees added that they too are receiving negative comments from parents in their wards.

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Become more Earth Savvy: Detoxify your life and keep more of your money in your wallet.

Event 100By Staff

March 25, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON
An ecofriendly non-profit will be meeting at East Plains United Church in Burlington (375 Plains Rd East) starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 to talk about Detoxifying Your Life.

Organic cleansingEarth-Savvy Living: will start with the screening of the short film “Story of Cosmetics” (8 minutes).
Mariah Griffin-Angus of Environmental Defence will lead a discussion on some of the toxic chemicals that we are exposed to in our daily lives and how they can influence our personal and environmental health.

Participants will then learn some easy ways to reduce exposure to these chemicals by making their own personal care and cleaning products through a demonstration led by the Program Coordinator of Halton Green Screens, Heather Govender.

The event will focus on greenwashing, marketing, and easy changes individuals can make to decrease exposure to toxic chemicals.

Each participant will go home with some products that they will make themselves. Participants are asked to come with two small jars and one spray bottle or squeeze bottle.

The event is free and refreshments will be provided.

The evening was made possible through the efforts of East Plains United Church, Hamilton-Burlington KAIROS, Greening Sacred Spaces, IDEA Burlington, and Halton Green Screens.

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Mayor gives certificates of appreciation to boys and girls who raised a record 281,878 pounds of food.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

March 24, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Boy with red hair Giving back

The red hair and a comb don’t appear to have met very often – but he made his parents proud when he accepted his certificate for taking part in the Gift of Giving Back to the community program that has collected more than 1 million pounds in the past nine years.

In the world of politics it is all about being seen in the right situation at the right time – and if you can control that situation, so much the better.

Kissing babies has always worked – handling out awards to bright faced boys and girls who are playing sports is a very close second.

Last night Mayor Goldring got a chance to hand our certificates to hockey players who took part in the Gift of Giving program that pulled in a record 281,878 pounds of food that is given to local organizations – Salvation Army, Carpenter Hospice, Halton woman are among the recipients.

Boys at Giving Back presentation

While one boy accepts his certificate, a boy in the first row reads what he was given by the Mayor.

The November 2013 total 273,571 lbs of food.

Included in the groups that pulled in all this food were:

Eagle Rep hockey team
Barracuda,
Burlington Firefighters
Cougars
Ravens
And Nelson High school students

BarracudasLogo cougars logo Eagles - hockey teamravens logoIn the past nine years the Gift of Giving Back to the Community program has topped one million pounds of food.

Some of the boys and girls who were to get certificates were not able to attend.  When the first name got called out with no one responding – there was a short awkward silence; when additional names were read out and no one came forward both the boys and the girls chanted in unison “not here” – they came close to taking the show away from the Mayor.

Mayor Goldring proudly handed out certificates to the boys and girls who trooped into the Council chamber to accept their certificates.

Goldring pointed out that there are 14,000 people (10% of the population) who live below the poverty line.

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Pop up Patios to appear on Brant Street May 1st - expect some colour and decent dining curb side.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

March 23, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

This is a great new story.

Have you ever heard of a Pop Up Patio?

Get ready – there is going to be a patio on Brant Street that will be out on the street and occupy two parking spaces.

Yellow umbrellas Toronto waterfront

The City of Toronto sets out these umbrellas along the edge of the lake opposite the Toronto Islands. Something similar coming to Burlington?

It will be in place from May 1st to October 1st as a one year pilot.

The Test Kitchen – which is one of the best meal deals in town – is piloting with the city on this one.

Finally – there just might be some colour and pizazz on the street.

The idea came out of the Planning department where Jody Wellings, Special Business Area Coordinator, beavers away at making the downtown core what it could be. It has been a struggle.

Wellings is quick to point out that she can’t take credit – “the idea actually originated in San Francisco, and has been used extensively there and in NYC. More locally, St. Catherine’s, Port Credit and Barrie have all tried the concept in various forms”

Test Kitchen - between the trees Pop Up

The first Pop Up Patio restaurant in Burlington will be outside the Test Kirchner on Brant Kitchen. City is looking at other locations. The patio will occupy the two parking spots shown

At this point there is just the one Pop Up planned but the city seems approachable to others – and not just on Brant Street.

There will be a wooden deck patio built on the road that will be flush with the sidewalk and will extend out onto the road.

Test Kitchen Pop Up from other side st

Location of the Pop Up Patio outside the Test Kitchen. Two parking spots outside the restaurant will be used – the Kitchen had to pay for the spots. The cost should be put on the tab of the Director of Finance when she shows up for lunch.

It will be fenced off – ideally with nice green shrubbery – and safe from passing traffic because there will be cars parked at each end of the patio.

It is this kind of imaginative idea that just might make Brant Street Burlington’s hub bub of a Street.

But it isn’t always good news is it?

The two parking spaces that will be unavailable for vehicles- what about the lost revenue? Not to worry the bean counters are “leasing the spaces to the Test Kitchen. Alex Mickalow will be paying leasing for seven days even though parking is free on Saturday.

Mickalow was thinking in terms of painting the wooden deck black – it tied in with his corporate colours.

Sugar Beach Toronto

Toronto took an unused wharf in the harbour, dumped several truck loads of sand and called is Sugar Beach because it was next to the Redpath sugar refinery. Close to impossible to get a deck chair. Burlington has an opportunity to open up parts of the water front even more. What would something like this look like along the pier?

Can’t do that said the city – we want a consistent look – so much for artistic expression.

What will not be bland or plain is the food – the Test Kitchen serves up a fine meal at a dynamite price with staff that aim to please and always hit the target.

Mickalow saw the Pop Up idea in Oakville – brought it back to the city last October and took it along to Brian Deans at the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) – the two of them took it along to Jody Wellings at city hall and she got it through the various hoops.

Open May 1 – expect a line up.

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Persian artist, new to Canada, will exhibit and do his art work at the Art Gallery of Burlington

Event 100By Staff

March 20, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Hamed Naseri’s, a geologist from Tehran, in Canada less than a year will be both exhibiting and working on his bold, heavily detailed ink paintings. The detail is quite extraordinary.

Rumi Nebula 2014 AGB

Hamed Naseri’s art is bold, almost daring in its use of colour and at the same time as detailed as the innards of a Swiss watch. Naseri will be exhibiting and doing his work at the Art |Gallery of Burlington.

Naseri draws his inspiration from his life and the world around him. Nature, figures, architecture and the concept of ‘home’ are explored in imaginative realms in his works.

Persian poems are often incorporated into his paintings, occasionally appearing as part of the design. These fine details add to the painting’s narrative, combining traditional stories with vibrant images.

Naseri seeks to immerse viewers in his imagination – to feel the fire, wind and waves. This exhibition marks the one year anniversary of his artistic career.

Hamed Naseri AGB

Hamed Naseri will be doing his art at the Art Gallery of Burlington. Photo Credit of Artist: Chuck Burdick, 2015

A graduate of Geology from Tehran University, Hamed Naseri travelled throughout Iran studying the flora and fauna of the country’s many landscapes. He also observed the kind hospitality of local residents, which lead to his artistic exploration of the question ‘what is a home’?

The artist brought his passion of ink painting to Canada in December of 2014. For Naseri, creating his paintings in public spaces allows him to observe the nature of the city and spaces around him.

As part of the exhibition, he will be working on new pieces in the gallery.

Winds & Waves is at the Art Gallery of Burlington from March 20, 2015 – April 19, 2015 in the RBC Community Gallery

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Spring equinox gets suitably celebrated by the residents of Lowville; first performance of the hit song - Lowville’s Favourite Spring Things

Event 100By Pepper Parr

March 19, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Revised: video included

If you were driving north on Guelph Line Wednesday night just a little after sunset you would have passed 30 or more people walking along the side of the road with flaming torches in their hands.

Given that this is Lowville – and Bronte Creek runs through the village and one never knows exactly what’s in the water – there was every reason to wonder what these people were doing out on the road.

Lowville Rickli with torch

Lowville sculptor Walt Rickli leads the citizens of Lowville on a celebration of the Spring equinox with torches blazing

The event was to celebrate the arrival of the Spring equinox – that time of the year when daylight hours are equal to dark hours.

The idea came out of the ripe, supple mind of Lowville sculptor Walt Rickli, who clearly had nothing better to do.

The idea took on a life of its own when neighbor Cathy Cole bumped in Rickli’s friend Janet – they decided a song was necessary and went looking for someone with a guitar.

Rickli sent invitations out to everyone in Lowville and some of his Burlington friends. The publisher of the Gazette got included in that list.

Lowville equinox - on the road - group of torches

Torches lit the way as the world moved to the point where the darkness was equal to the light and spring could poke its nose out.

He thought it was a news release and quickly put together a story on the event. Literally minutes after the story was published Rickli and Cathy Cole began getting emails from friends – saying great idea – I’ll join you.

This wasn’t what Rickli had in mind – so he dashed an email along to the Gazette – asking us to take the story down – the event was for the people of Lowville only.

The story came down but not before a decent number of people read about it – proves the power of what the Gazette sets out to do.

Lowville Equinox Kathy and Janet  - rough

Janet and Cathy relax after their performance of   – an event that will not make it into the summer program at the Performing Arts Centre.

Lowville’s Favourite Spring Things

With the sun set and the Spring Equinox underway – the kerosene soaked torched were brought out – lit – and the walk began. Out on to Lowville Road, across a bridge over the Bronte Creek, across “Mary’s front lawn” – everyone knew who Mary was and along a drive way until they got to Guelph Line, south on the Line to Lowville Road and into the room with the rum soaked punch.

Were there bylaws broken?  Probably.  Were permits obtained?

Lowville singers

The Lowville Singers – with an interloper from Burlington to give the sound some depth.

Then the entertainment – Cathy Cole, Janet and a few others did the first public performance of a song that will be sung just once a year – unless Walt Rickli decides to hold a winter solstice event.  Sung to the tune of Sound of Music – the rendition heard in Lowville will not make it to the stage of the Performing Arts Centre.

Lowville’s Favourite Spring Things

Fiddleheads in forests we all love to pick
Peepers are peeping and the leaves they get thick Signs that there’s life in Lowville in spring
These are a few of our favourite things.

Lowville equinox - lady with torch

If you lived between the two Lowville “gates” – you were probably on Lowville Park Road with a torch in your hand as the Spring equinox arrived.

The river starts running, the trout start to jump The doggies of Lowville they all start to hump Park staff returns and they all start mowing These are a few of our favourite spring things.

When the ice jams, when the creek floods And Cathy’s feeling sad
We simply remember our favourite spring things And then we don’t feel so bad.

Sonny’s on his tractor and Kim’s back in town There’s Simon with Cindy, she’s in her nightgown Walt’s garden’s alive and the sculptures running These are a few of our favourite spring things.

People start running the steps up to Highville Barbeque smoke wafting up from the park grills The Bistro’s now open six days so we sing These are a few of our favourite spring things.

Birds are back singing and Ben’s outside tagging Judy’s with Penny her tail is a wagging
The Powell wagon gets covered, a sure sign of spring These are a few of our favourite things.

Lowville spring equinox 2015 group with torces

Lowville torch bearers preparing the march through the community to celebrate the arrival of the spring equinox

When the bugs bite, when the weeds grow And we’re feeling mad
We simply remember our favourite spring things And then we don’t feel so bad.

A fun evening in a community that certainly has its act together.

The song can be heard on YouTube – Click here – not to be missed.

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March Break - get them out of the house and from underfoot - lots to do.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

March 15, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

School is out. Those that are going south are already on their way out of town. Spring Break has begun – and now what are you going to do?
The melting is well underway which means the creeks will begin to swell – which means keeping a closer eye on the younger ones who are fascinated with the rushing water.

The City is offering many drop-in programs for March Break but you are going to need a degree in rocket science to figure out what they are offering.

There are a lot of events at different locations – we’ve set those out for you below.

Then there is the IGNITE TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am March Break Community Challenge. Someone at city hall said they were “thrilled to be one of 600 IGNITE community partners in Ontario as part of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games-inspired community initiatives.

Getting the form:
Participate in daily challenges and get active. Download the IGNITE Passport to discover and explore Burlington’s trails, sport and culture.

Submit your completed passport to be entered into a contest for great prizes.   Passports can be picked up and dropped off at Appleby Arena, City Hall and Tansley Woods Community Centre or printed and submitted online

To participate in the Ignite March Break Community Challenge*

1. Choose an activity – aim to do at least one activity every day.
2. Check off what you did on the Passport. You can share details and photos of your activities with us on Facebook or Twitter and win daily prizes.
3. At the end of March Break, hand in the passport to be entered in the grand prize draw.

For a list of events, check the online calendar, pick up a Community Challenge booklet, and follow the City of Burlington on Twitter and Facebook.
Community Challenge – How to win*

Daily Prizes:
To be eligible for a daily prize, post on the City of Burlington twitter or facebook pages using #IgniteBurlON starting Monday, March 16 and ending Sunday, March 22, 2015. Winners will be chosen daily via a random draw and notified via social media the next business day. If you include a photo, we may ask you fill out a photo release form in case we want to use your photo.

Grand Prizes:
To be eligible for a grand prize, fill out the passport online, submit your completed passport to diversity@burlington.ca or at any participating City of Burlington facility customer service counter before March 31, 2015. Winners will be chosen via a random draw and notified via email or phone number provided on the passportentry form by Tuesday, April 7, 2015.

The city will be offering different sport and culture programs free of charge, hosted by local organizations. Ignite programs include drop-in sport clinics, dance classes and challenges throughout the community.
Passports can be picked up and dropped off at Appleby Arena, City Hall and Tansley Woods Community Centre or printed and submitted online

March Break Outdoor opportunity 13-21

Outdoor Opportunity 13-21

In addition to the Ignite March Break Community Challenge, residents can participate in drop-in gym programs, swimming and skating opportunities.

March break Jr Mini Blast 5-9

Junior Blast 5-10

 

March Break mini-blast 3-5

Junior Mini Blast 3-5

 

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Gillies thinks civic recognition of John Waldie embarrassing and pathetic, suggests naming something significant after the 'Father of Burlington'

Who Knew 100x100 2015By Mark Gillies

March 13, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

John Waldie was an incredible man; a son of Burlington, who from humble origins rose to fame and fortune. He was a great philanthropist, and a man who was proud to call Burlington his home.

John Waldie Portrait 1906 P4

In 1906 in St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria Harbour, this portrait of John Waldie was taken to honour the man that built the church. St Paul’s opened that same year. In 1907 John Waldie died of heart failure and was buried at historic Greenwood Cemetery in Burlington.

John Waldie made a huge impact on the small community of Victoria Harbour with the establishment of the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company. Today, the Waldie sawmills are gone, the lumber business is no more, but many of the local buildings that John Waldie built, are still in use today.

These landmarks, including St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, the General Store and the Library have been officially recognized as historical, and are an integral part of Victoria Harbour’s exciting past life as one of Canada’s largest lumber producing communities.

Victoria Harbor Heritage Properties P4

The Village of Victoria Harbour has recognized 22 buildings as having historical significance. Half of this total are buildings built by John Waldie and the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company including St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, the General Store and the Library, all three donated to the community by the philanthropist John Waldie and the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company.

“The Legacy of John Waldie and Sons”, is the history of the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company, and the Waldie family. Written by Kenneth A. Armson and Marjorie McLeod it does both the man and his work justice. Might not be available in local bookstores but it can be purchased on line at |Amazon.

The Legacy of John Waldie P4

 You won’t find this book on the best seller’s list, but “The Legacy of John Waldie and Sons” is a very interesting read. You will learn so much more about this incredible man and his family.

Out west in Castlegar, British Columbia, the Waldie sawmills are also gone, having closed in 1961. But, the residents of Castlegar still remember the Waldie legacy. Today, Waldie Island on the Columbia River has been turned into a nature park with hiking trails. A bird sanctuary, has been set up for the revival of the blue heron on the Waldie Island Heron Reserve. The idea is to reclaim the historical heritage of this part of the Columbia River.
The Waldie family has left a huge economic legacy in Canada, and the little communities of Victoria Harbour and Castlegar have done their part and remembered the Waldie family and their enormous contributions to these two communities.

Waldie Island P4

Pic: Waldie Island The citizens of Castlegar, British Columbia, to honour the Waldie family were pro-active and developed Waldie Island located in the middle of the Columbia River into a beautiful wilderness location complete with hiking trails and a bird sanctuary.

Burlington, as we all know, has been reported to be one of the best places to live in Canada, and this community has also remembered and recognized the Waldie legacy, but not quite in the same manner as Victoria Harbour and Castlegar.

Dan Chalykoff p4

 Dan Chalykoff is a professional heritage consultant, with outstanding credentials, retained by the City of Burlington to assess the city’s historical properties. His recommendations were pretty much ignored by the volunteer committee Heritage Burlington.

The Waldie home at 3265 Mayfair Place, known as “Erin” was added to the Heritage Registry several years ago. The historic home was built around 1845 by Henry Sovereign, an original United Empire Loyalist descendent. His father John bought the land from Christiana Hill, a daughter of Joseph Brant in 1812.

Recently, a heritage report was commissioned by the City of Burlington with Mr. Dan R. Chalykoff, a professional heritage consultant with outstanding credentials, to create an Interim Evaluation which was made available in January 2013.

Mr. Chalykoff stated in his report that the home (3265 Mayfair Place) remain on the register for possessing cultural value and interest under all three of the main criteria listed in Ontario Regulation 9/06 from the Heritage Act. His detailed report also stated, “without this property all built vestiges of Burlington’s settlement era in this neighbourhood will be extinct”.

Sovereign House & Erin P4

 On the right is 3265 Mayfair Place, or “Erin” as it looks today. This beautiful residence has undergone several changes over the years since it was originally built around 1845, but it is still historical and is a very important part of Burlington’s heritage. The home on the left is “Sovereign House” in Bronte. Now owned by the Bronte Historical Society, this historic home was built over several years from about 1825 until around 1846 and today operates as a heritage museum. The two homes are strikingly similar in design. David Sovereign built the “Sovereign House” residence, while Henry Sovereign from the same family built “Erin”.

In  May 2013, James M. Clemens, Chairman of Heritage Burlington, which is a committee of volunteer citizens that report to the City of Burlington, overturned Mr. Chalykoff’s professional opinion and recommended that “Erin” be removed from the Heritage Registry. With vague non-proven references to the house, Clemens goes on record and states, “the present dwelling has perhaps been incorrectly dated to 1845”, and that parts of the house do not line up to the stone rubble basement, and “it may be that the original dwelling over the rubble basement was razed”, and parts of the house appear to be late Victorian and part Edwardian.

These were the main non-professional reasons given for the reversal of keeping this historic 170 year old residence on the Heritage Registry. Mr. Clemens and his committee have apparently ignored the fact that it was not uncommon for residents of that time to alter their dwelling over several years, something that does not usually affect the heritage and historical value of a residence.

I share the views of Chalykoff   that there is an incredible amount of historical significance to this famous 170 year old residence called “Erin”, despite it being cosmetically updated. In my opinion, Heritage Burlington under the guidance of Chairman James Clemens have made a very serious error. This is unacceptable.

James Clemens was Chairman with the same Heritage Burlington committee that recommended 504 Burlington Avenue be removed from the Heritage Registry for lack of historical significance. May I remind Mr. Clemens that 504 Burlington Avenue was the Lorimer residence for 50 years. It was built by renowned custom home builder George Blair, whose other homes in the core area have been recognized as historically significant, and I might add with much less historical relevance than that of the Lorimer residence.

One of Burlington’s greatest historical magnetic personalities of the early 20th century was the owner Harry Lorimer, who was the station master at the historic Freeman Station when it opened in 1906, and he was also the station master for the previous Freeman Station, before it burned to the ground in 1904.

Harry Lorimer changed careers and went into the retail business and purchased Allen’s Hardware Store, at the corner of Brant & Pine Streets, from James S Allen, a former Mayor of Burlington, and turned it into a retail legacy providing local market gardeners and homeowners with everything they needed.

The Colton & Lorimer Hardware store was the leading retail catalyst for Burlington moving quickly into the 20th century as it began to transition itself from an agricultural town to a suburban community. Yes, Mr. Clemens, there is great historical significance to the residence at 504 Burlington Avenue. It was the home of an outstanding citizen of Burlington. You sir, and Heritage Burlington have made another serious error. This is unacceptable.

Harry Lorimer & 504 Burlington Avenue p4

 Harry Lorimer is another outstanding citizen of Burlington from the early 20th century whose great contributions to Burlington’s development have gone unnoticed and unrecognized. Heritage Burlington has removed the Lorimer residence at 504 Burlington Avenue from the Heritage Registry. From their ignorant point of view there was a lack of historical significance.

These are just two glaring examples of incredibly bad judgment by this committee. Heritage Burlington under the questionable leadership of James Clemens have recommended to City Council the removal of many more historical properties from the Heritage Registry designation. In my opinion, Heritage Burlington appears to be more counter- productive than anything else. They are failing miserably to recognize and preserve our most valuable historical properties. This is unacceptable. Is this how Heritage Burlington is going to recognize John Waldie and the Waldie family’s contribution to Burlington?

James Clemens and Marianne Meed Ward p4

James Clemens is the Chairman of Heritage Burlington. With Mr. Clemens is Councillor Marianne Meed Ward who also sits on the Heritage Burlington committee and represents the City of Burlington. Heritage Burlington has been systematically recommending removal of some of Burlington’s most historical properties from the Heritage Registry.

 

John Waldie Study Hall p4

On the second floor of the Burlington Central Library you will see for yourself what the City of Burlington has done to recognize one of its greatest philanthropic citizens. There is a small sign hanging overhead, “John Waldie Study Hall”. On the wall to the left of the door is a framed portrait of John Waldie. This is the same 1906 photograph from St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Victoria Harbour. Do the words pathetic or embarrassing come to mind?

Not to be outdone by Heritage Burlington, here’s how the City of Burlington has recognized John Waldie, Canadian philanthropist, the “Father of Burlington”, and the “Father of the Burlington Library”. Need I say more.

James Clemens is the Chairman of Heritage Burlington. With Mr. Clemens is Councillor Marianne Meed Ward who also sits on the Heritage Burlington committee and represents the City of Burlington. Heritage Burlington has been systematically recommending removal of some of Burlington’s most historical properties from the Heritage Registry.

Here are a few of my suggestions in my order of importance to better recognize John Waldie as one of Burlington’s greatest citizens.

1.) The Burlington Central Library is a very boring and uninspiring name. We can do better. My suggestion is to rename it “The John Waldie Memorial Library”.
2.) Erect a bronze statue at City Hall and locate it on the City Hall grounds in an appropriate open space complete with a small engraved biography of the man.
3.) Name the City Hall property “John Waldie Square” with the sub-heading,
“Father of Burlington”. Add a plaque to a prominent position on the grounds of City Hall.
4.) Add John Waldie’s portrait complete with a description to the lobby of City Hall, local fire and police stations, schools, and any other local public buildings.
5.) John Waldie was involved in shipping, owning several lake freighters, that operated from the three wharves at the foot of Brant Street. Consider naming the new pier after John Waldie.
6.) Rename Mayfair Place where the Waldie home now stands. Call it John Waldie Place or something similar.
7.) Name a park after John Waldie. How about Central Park? That’s not a great name.

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How do you raise $10,000 in under an hour?

Event 100By Staff

March 12, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

There is an organization in this city that meets every four months – always for less than an hour – before the meeting ends they will have raised somewhere between $5000 to $20,000 for a local charity

wevb

Meet, chit chat – network and write a cheque for $100 and you are on your way home

They are known as the 100 Women Who Care. It is a concept has been rapidly taking shape in communities all across North America. Launched in Burlington in January 2014, it appealed to women looking to give back to their communities in a meaningful way and network with like-minded women. Many women have favorite charities and 100 Women Who Care Burlington provides an opportunity to raise $10,000 for a cause that’s near to their hearts, in almost in the blink of an eye.

The process is simple yet the impact is very powerful. 100 women or more meet four times a year for 1 hour each time to choose a recipient from charities nominated by the members for consideration. At each meeting, members learn about 3 of the organizations nominated that were selected at random, narrowing down the list of options. They then cast their ballot for the charity they’d like to support. Each woman writes a $100 cheque for the charity that gets the winning vote. The goal is to raise a minimum of $40,000 annually ($10,000 x 4 meetings) in support of local initiatives.

The second meeting of 2015 will take place on Wednesday, March 18 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. The meeting will again be held at the Burlington Golf & Country Club at 422 North Shore Blvd. E., Burlington. Registration begins at 7:00 p.m. All interested women are invited to attend.

Since forming, 100 Women Who Care Burlington has raised over $18,000 for local organizations and initiatives, including ¬¬¬the Burlington Humane Society, Halton Women’s Place, Home Suite Hope, Food4Kids and more recently, The Carpenter Hospice.

Part of the appeal of 100 Women Who Care is that at each meeting the beneficiary of the last donation addresses the membership to thank the group and to share how the donation will have an immediate impact in our community. On March 18th, Karen Candy, Carpenter Hospice Executive Director will share how the groups $5,500 donation will make a difference for terminally ill individuals and their families.

100 woman who careMarion Goard, Co-Founder of the Burlington chapter, said “the group is continually growing and we really do hope to reach our initial target of 100 members by our next meeting. We’re very inspired by chapters in other communities where membership exceeds several hundred women and there are some cities where 100 Men Who Give a Damn and 100 Kids Who Care groups have also formed. We’d love to see the same happen here in Burlington. This would have a huge impact for our local charities and the services they provide.”

For those interested in joining, membership forms can be found online at www.100womenwhocareburlington.com. Nominations for charities/organizations can also be filled out online ahead of the meeting¬ or submitted at the meeting.

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Pauline Johnson public school students are to be part of a national broadcast involving 79 schools.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

March 10, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag is an ongoing thing – Burlington is feeling the celebration with students at Pauline Johnson Public school singing their little hearts out while a voice recording technician captures it all. Children from different classes are paraded into the gym and get put into place and given instructions.

The recoding technicians does several takes – one that was going very well got cancelled when one of the boys had a very impressive sneeze

Another got scrubbed from the sound of a camera clicking – it was my camera

Alice Mary St. James, principal at Pauline Johnson is justifiably proud of the students – the pictures tell the story.

Pauline Johnson - lined up

They stayed this still during the four recordings of O Canada they did.

Pauline Johnson Public School has a student population of 285 – it’s an older school; a place that gives you the sense it is well run. Like a comfortable pair of slippers.

Before each recording session the technician chats with the students: How old is the Canadian flag? Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada – no one got that one but when asked what Canada had before the Maple Leaf was adopted one boy knew every detail of what we used to call the Red Ensign.

Pauline Johnson - close up kids + girl

That young lady was not going to miss a word

Another little girl in that halting voice only a grade four student can have, explained in almost excruciating detail why we have the Maple Leaf.

When all the recordings are done they will be merged into a single sound track that anyone can download.

Hint here to city hall – the recording of O Canada that is played before each city council meeting is just plain terrible. Someone in the Mayor’s office could get on the phone and arrange to get a copy of the recording.

The school is one of 79 across the country selected for this program

Pauline Johnson - grouped with St. James

Rapt attention to the recording technician – waiting for the cue to start

Pauline Johnson with Steph MacLellan

Everyone is paying close attention – well almost everyone; four takes and the singing session was a wrap.

Part of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the first hoisting of the Canadian flag is to have a student at each participating school write an essay.

Alice Mary St. James

Pauline Johnson Public School principal Mary Alice St. James

Because Pauline Johnson Public school was named after the aboriginal poet, grade 6 student Avery Cline wrote a poem

Why I’m proud to be a Canadian

Waking up every morning
Knowing I a free
A peaceful day lies ahead of me
To believe, think, talk and ask as I please
The potential of all rising up like a seed

From PEI beaches to Yukon Mountains
Kindness from others flows like a fountain
We all pull together and work as a team
With blue skies above
While the sun beams collide
Our destinies forever abide.

The great four seasons we hold so dear
Their own special qualities
That bring so much cheer

Now I’ve laid it out clearly
Why Canada’s close to my heart
A love for our country
Set each day apart, fresh starts.

Principal St, James, nearing the end of a public school career, is one of the schools that has Core French starting at grade 4 – she wasn’t disappointed when Core French starting at Grade I was not offered to her school. “Some of these children are not quite ready for language instruction”she said. There is no doubt in the mind of St. James that French is essential – the pedagogical question for this principal is –  when do you start?

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Is the end of winter in sight? Has anyone seen a robin yet? Where are the rubber boots?

News 100 yellowBy Staff
March 9, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Is the end in sight?

Has anyone seen a robin yet?

Where are the rubber boots?

For the first time in a few days you can actually see the people out on the street – they are no longer bundled up behind scarves and hoods.

Bennett M in church garden

Michelle Bennett was one of the people that brought community gardens to the city. There are now three in Burlington with plans in the works for possibly two more.

Spring may not be here yet but it is certainly in the air and Daylight Saving time tells us something doesn’t it?

Did you get a chance on the weekend to sit in the sun and feel the warmth on your face?

And did you get out without a coat?

Seed catalogThe tough winter may have just loosened its grip on us.

Is it time to begin looking at seed catalogs and put away the brochures on the deals to go south?

Registration for one of the plots in the three community gardens: Amherst Park, Central Park and Francis Road bike trail will be accepted from March 16 to April 12.

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John Waldie had two wives and thirteen children: all were brought back to Burlington where they were buried.

Who Knew 100x100 2015By Mark Gillies

March 9, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Part three of a four part feature.

Waldie John  & Mary Waldie with their children part 3

This picture of the 13 Waldie children, Agnes, Marion, James, John, Lillian, Ida, Ernest, Frederick, Robert, Walter, Jessica, Charles and Mary was photographed around 1886 or 1887, after their mother had died in 1884. On the top left is John Waldie, the father, at about 52 years of age; and below John, is the children’s mother Mary Thompson Waldie at about 40 years of age.

One of Canada’s greatest business leaders at the turn of the 20th century was John Waldie; a man with humble beginnings and amassed unbelievable wealth, and became one of Canada’s most powerful lumber barons was also a true philanthropist, a refined gentleman, and a man who was passionate about calling Burlington, his home.

John Waldie married twice. His first wife was Mary Ann Thompson. Mary was born in 1841, but died at the age of 43 in January 1884, just three weeks after giving birth to her 13th child Mollie. John’s second wife was Sarah Ann Jarvis from Milton, a young lady of 29, who married the 53 year old widower in December 1885. Sarah Ann, at the age of 61, suffered a stroke and died June 6, 1918.

Waldie - Sarah Ann Jarvis 3

Sarah Ann Jarvis was a remarkable young lady. At 29 years of age, she entered into marriage with John Waldie who was 52 years of age; and then Sarah became a stepmother to John’s 13 children.

John Waldie had 13 children, and their lives continued on with much diversity after John Waldie’s death in 1907. Some children had tragic endings, while some had successful careers, some married into wealthy families, while others played and lived the life of the rich and famous.

From eldest to youngest, the first born was in 1862, and the last born was in 1884; their names are in chronological order; Agnes, Marion, James, John, Lillian, Ida, Ernest, Frederick, Robert, Walter, Jessica, Charles and Mary.

Agnes Waldie was born in 1862. On June 22, 1882, Agnes married into the affluent Marlatt family of Oakville. Her husband was Cecil Gustavus Marlatt, a dashing young man, a yachting enthusiast, an industrialist, and one of Oakville’s favourite sons. The Marlatt family owned the local tannery which at the time was the largest employer with over 200 employees.

The couple had two children. Roy Waldie Marlatt died in 1885 from cholera, at the age of 5 months. Their second son Kenneth Dean Marlatt was born in 1888 and passed away in 1942. One month after Kenneth’s birth in November, Agnes died on December 22, 1888 from spinal meningitis.

Gillies - Agnes Waldie

Agnes Waldie (L) married into one of Oakville’s wealthiest families. In 1882 Agnes married Cecil Gustavus Marlatt. It was Agnes who laid the cornerstone for the new Knox Presbyterian Church in Oakville (C), a building mainly financed by the Marlatt family.

Agnes and Cecil were members of Knox Presbyterian Church located on Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville. It was Agnes who laid the cornerstone for the church in 1884. The Marlatt family financed the construction of Knox Presbyterian Church.

Gillies Marion Waldie Combo 1 & 2

Marion never married, preferring a life of world travel and high class living.

Marion Waldie was born in 1864 in Wellington Square. Marion, the second eldest daughter never married. Preferring the single life, Marion lived most of her affluent life travelling around the world. On Aug 29, 1949 Marion passed away at the age of 85, in Toronto.

Gillies -  John Edward Waldie

John Edward Waldie’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 26 when he drowned in a canoeing accident on the French River.

James William Waldie was the eldest son. William, as he was known, was born in 1867, at their home in Wellington Square. William followed in his father’s footsteps and became involved in the lumber business.

Gillies - James William Waldie

William Waldie was the first son to follow in his father’s footsteps. William moved his own family to Castlegar, British Columbia, and began the west coast operation of the family’s massive lumber business.

The Waldie’s expanded their business across Canada, and William went to Castlegar, British Columbia, and set up the William Waldie & Sons Lumber Company. This west coast business was highly successful and operated until 1961.

John Edward Waldie was born in 1868 in Wellington Square. John also followed his father and older brother into the lumber business, but in 1894, the family was devastated at the news of the sudden death of John Edward Waldie. At the age of 26, John drowned in a canoeing accident on the French River.

Gillies - Eliza Lillian Waldie

Lillie, like her older sister Marion, never married. Lillie travelled the world and lived the life of luxury. At her Toronto home, she suffered a heart attack and died when she was only 68 years old

.Eliza Lillian Waldie was born in 1870 in Wellington Square. Lillian, just like her older sister, never married. She too, preferred to travel around the world, living the life of the rich and famous. Two days after Christmas in 1938, Lillian suffered a heart attack at the age of 68, and died in her Toronto home.

Gillies - Ida Waldie

Fanny married Dr. Charles Temple. The wealthy Temple family were prominent surgeons in Toronto.

Ida Frances Waldie was born in 1871 in Wellington Square. Ida was known as Fanny. In 1895, Fanny married Dr. Charles Algernon Deveser Temple, a surgeon. The Temple family were prominent Toronto doctors. In February of 1940, Ida Waldie Temple at the age of 69, died.

Ernest Tasker Waldie was born in 1873. Ernest had a difficult life. Apparently, he was dropped on his head as a baby, and suffered his entire life with mental disorders. Ernest lived most of his life at the “Orillia Asylum for Idiots”, tnhat was the original name of the institution. This same institution is now involved in a $2 billion dollar class action lawsuit with the Province of Ontario for alleged mistreatment of patients, which is scheduled for court in September 2015.

Gillies - Ernest Tasker Waldie

Ernest Waldie suffered from medical conditions and spent most of his life at an institution once called the “Orillia Asylum for Idiots”, now called the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia.

Heading up the class action, are two former residents from the psychiatric facility, who told how they had been beaten, sexually abused, held upside down in ice-cold water and medicated against their will at the Huronia Regional Centre (Orillia Asylum for Idiots). Ernest at 58, died from pneumonia and heart failure in 1931 while he was a patient at this same institution. There was a contributory cause of Ernest’s death listed on the Death Certificate. It was recorded as “Idiocy”.

Frederick Norval Waldie was the fourth eldest son of John Waldie. Fred was born in Burlington in 1875. After his father’s death in 1907, Fred became president of the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company. At the age of 52, Fred died from heart disease in Shanty Bay, Ontario.

Gillies - Robert Stanley Waldie

Robert pursued law as a career and did not go into the lumber business. Robert Waldie became the President of the Imperial Bank of Canada, and also held the position of Vice-President with the Canada Bread Company.

The fifth son was Robert Stanley Waldie, who was born in Burlington in 1877. Robert did not follow in his father’s footsteps and venture into the lumber business. Robert chose law as a profession. As a lawyer, Robert was successful in the business world, and rose to become the president of the Imperial Bank of Canada. The Imperial Bank merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1961; the largest merger of two chartered banks in Canadian history. Robert Waldie was also the vice-president of the Canada Bread Company. Robert Stanley Waldie died in 1966.

Gillies - Walter Scott Waldie

Walter left the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company to join the military at the beginning of World War 1. While overseas, Walter died from influenza in 1919. His father-in-law was Sir Albert Edward Kemp (L), the Minister of Militia and Defence for Canada, in Sir Robert Borden’s Government

Walter Scott Waldie was born in 1879 in Burlington. Walter like most of his brothers went into the lumber business. When World War 1 broke out, Walter enlisted into the military and went overseas. In 1919, while still in the service and located in Wales, Walter died from influenza on February 2, 1919. He left behind his wife Alice and 3 young children John, Alice and Ian. Mrs. Walter Waldie was the daughter of Sir Albert Edward Kemp. During World War 1, Sir Albert was the Minister of Militia and Defence, and the Minister of the Overseas Military Forces for Canada.

Jessica Waldie was the eleventh child born to Burlington’s Waldie family in 1880. Jessie had more of an ordinary married life, and one not so much wrapped around all of the wealth that the Waldie family enjoyed. In 1905 Jessie married Godfrey Edward Spragge. The Spragge family had four children, John, Edward, Elizabeth and Peter. John Godfrey Spragge, the eldest son born in 1907 chose a military career and rose in rank to become a Brigadier-General in World War II.

Gillies Charles Percival Waldie

Percy was the youngest son of John and Mary Waldie. He joined the war effort and died in battle, with the rank of Lieutenant, at Hulloch Village, Loos, France. Percy was just 33 years old.

Charles Percival Waldie was John Waldie’s youngest son. Percy was born in 1882. When World War 1 came along, young Percy enlisted. The Great War was to claim his life, and on September 26, 1915 at the battle of Loos near Hulloch Village, France; 2nd Lieutenant Waldie was killed in action.

Gillies - Waldie Family Plot in Greenwood Cemetery

John Waldie and his family all returned home to Burlington and are buried in the family plot in historic Greenwood Cemetery.

The youngest child of John Waldie was Mary Waldie, and the family called her Mollie. Mollie was born in Burlington in 1884. Mollie enjoyed a privileged life. At the age of 21 in 1905, young Mollie married Robert Cecil Hamilton Cassels. The Cassels family were prominent lawyers in Toronto. Today, Cassels, Brock and Blackwell is one of the largest law firms in Canada, and has been established for over 125 years. Mollie at the age of 75, passed away June 16, 1959.

My next article, Part 4 of a 4 Part series, will be what the City of Burlington has done to recognize this great Canadian philanthropist, a one of a kind business leader, who was a distinguished local and federal politician, and was the “Father of Burlington”, plus the “Father of the Burlington Public Library”.

Mark Gillies is a lifelong resident of Burlington, who grew up in Aldershot and developed as a local historian, researcher, master genealogist and writer who has a passionate interest and extensive knowledge of the many early pioneer families.
Mark will write a regular column about colourful local history introducing Burlingtonians to the people that made this city what it is today.

 

 

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Five flicks to be screened by BurlingtonGreen this year - first on March 25th - worth your time.

News 100 greenBy Staff

March 7, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

While a larger community is gearing up for the review of the provinces ecologically parts of our environment BurlingtonGreen has announced its 2015 line up of award winning films for their 2015 Eco-film Festival which will start later this month – on March 25th.

The screenings will be at the Burlington Central Library (2331 New Street), followed by take action initiatives, guest speakers, and audience discussion on how individual and collective action can help the planet locally.

Doors open at 6:30pm with the film beginning at 7:00pm – $5.00 donations are welcome upon arrival to support event costs.

The eco-film festival line up includes:

Watermark (March 25th) An extraordinary awarding winning documentary by Canadian filmmakers that examines our relationship with water and how it shapes humanity.

Surviving progressSurviving Progress (April 29th) Martin Scorsese’s provocative documentary that delves into concepts of progress focusing on technological advancement, economic development, and population increase in the modern world.

Chasing IceChasing Ice (June 3rd) An Academy Award winning film that details the story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet.

Dirt! (September 23rd) An astonishing look at the glorious and unappreciated ground beneath our feet.

Journey of the Universe (November 4th) An epic story of cosmic, earth and human transformation from the Big Bang to today.

Complimentary refreshments will be available along with free eco-prize raffle draws at each event. BurlingtonGreen aims to host green events and asks that all guests walk, cycle, carpool or use public transit whenever possible, and bring their own mug for refreshments.

BurlingtonGreen is very grateful to local Burlington company O. C. Tanner for their continued support of the Eco-Film Festival. Event refreshments provided courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Together they make a difference when we think global and act local

For those who may be new to Burlington and haven’t heard about BurlingtonGreen it was established in 2007. It is a citizen-led, not-for-profit environmental agency. Their mission is to protect the diversity of nature and to create a healthier environment, now and for the future. Through awareness, advocacy, and action they collaborate with all sectors of the community to protect the natural environment and to make Burlington a cleaner, greener, more environmentally responsible city.

 

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Girls hockey pull in two gold and a sliver at recent tournaments: might be getting calls from that team in Toronto looking for talent.

element_sportsBy Staff

March 5, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Girls Hockey Club (BGHC) better known as the Baracudas; brought home three tournament medals, two GOLD and one SILVER, from two tournaments held this past weekend in Clearview and Oshawa (February 27 – March 1, 2015).

The not-for-profit hockey organization offers girls a fun environment to play Canada’s favourite sport has more than 750 girls (and growing) and offers programs for girls ages 4 to 21 at both the house league and competitive (rep) levels.

Barracudas Atom BB - GOLD - Clearview March Madness

The Atom BB’s were gold medalists

The Atom BB were Gold medalists at the Cleaview March Madness tournament.

Barracudas Oshawa Lady Generals Spring Classic Novice Champions - GOLD

They are pretty proud of themselves – and they should be: Novice take gold

The Novice House league Blue Rebels were also Gold medalists at the Oshawa Lady Generals Spring Classic.

Barracudas Bantam Panthers - Silver - Oshawa Lady Generals Spring Classic

The Panthers are letting it all hang out – hockey players that became divas. Silver for this team

The Bantam House League Panthers were Silver medalists
2015 Oshawa Lady Generals Spring Classic Girls Hockey Tournament.

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The Victoria Harbour Lumber Company; the source of the Waldie wealth.

Who Knew 100x100 2015By Mark Gillies

March 5, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Part two of a four part feature

Gillies - Waldie John Waldie, Father of BurlingtonJohn Waldie spent most of his time in Toronto during 1886 preparing to create his biggest business venture to date.

Gillies Waldie Erin Residence

The historic home called “Erin” was purchased as a wedding present for his second wife, Sarah Ann Jarvis. Sarah was to become the stepmother to John’s 13 children. While John Waldie was in Toronto, the family stayed in Burlington until John was ready to move his family into “Glenhurst”, the first mansion built in Rosedale.

John, a widower for one year, had just remarried December 16, 1885 to Sarah Ann Jarvis, and almost immediately, he went to Toronto by himself to start his new company leaving Sarah in Burlington with his 13 children. As a wedding present, John had purchased “Erin”, a home for Sarah at 3265 Mayfair Place in Burlington. Sarah was to care for the children at this home until it was time to have them all move to Toronto.

On November 20, 1886, the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company was incorporated. John had purchased a failing sawmill in Victoria Harbour named Kean, Fowlie and Company. The former company had gone through rough times and were unable to continue.

The Victoria Harbour Lumber Company grew and prospered under the management of John Waldie. In order to make the business successful, it was necessary to create a village for the employees. The area was fairly remote at the time. Streets were laid out, and in 1888 construction began on buildings and houses.

Gillies Waldie Victoria Harbour General Store

To make the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company successful, John Waldie built most of the town, enabling his employees to live and work locally. The general store was a company store, owned and operated by the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company.

Gillies Waldie Victoria Harbour GTR Train Station

Fortunately for John Waldie, the Grand Trunk Railway built a train station in Victoria Harbour. The location was ideal, as it was right across the road from his sawmills. The station was used to transport logs into Victoria Harbour, and to ship finished cut lumber out of the community.

The Grand Trunk Railway had arrived and built their own train station. John Waldie built a general store. He had more than enough experience on how to build and run a successful general store, having purchased his first in Wellington Square when he was just 22 years of age. John had a second store built in Wellington Square, and it is still there to this day, at the northeast corner of Lakeshore and John Street.

Gillies Waldie 1916 Victoria Harbour Library

John Waldie built a library for the residents of Victoria Harbour and furnished it with books, just as he had done for Burlington. Pic: St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

John, always an avid believer in reading made sure that they built a library for the residences of Victoria Harbour. It was a beautiful facility, and is still in the village to this day, as well as the general store.

Gillies  Waldie St Paul's Presbyterian Church

John Waldie was a Presbyterian. He financed the construction of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Victoria Harbour. The church opened in 1906.

Waldie, a devout religious man, built St Paul’s Presbyterian Church in 1906 for this little hamlet. The church is still functional to this day.

Gillies Waldie Victoria Harbour 1920

This rare aerial view of Victoria Harbour was how the village looked around 1920. The intersection of William & Albert Streets is at the top and in the middle of the photograph. In the background, you can see the three mills, the log booms in the bay, the Grand Trunk Railway station to the upper left, railway box cars are to the upper right, the General Store and Library are across the street from each other on either side of the main intersection.

If you’re going to have all these buildings for your employees, then you better have houses for them. John set out to build most of the houses in Victoria Harbour. They were small, but efficient. The houses had an early nickname, and were called “saltboxes”, but that went by the wayside when John had the houses painted in the company’s colours of white and yellow. The trim was white and the exterior walls were yellow. The new nickname was “canary houses”, and many are still referred by that name today.

Gillies Waladie Victoria Harbour Planer Mill

Once the logs had been cut, they were transferred to the planing mill. Here they were prepared into a finished product.

Gillies - Waldie Victoria Harbour Lumber Mill 1

Victoria Harbour Lumber Company consisted of three sawmills: Mill #1 & planing mill; Mill #2, and Mill l#3. Workers poured in from all over Canada, the United States and Europe eager to work at the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company.

There were three mills at the water’s edge, and they were kept busy, sawing and planing lumber. Timber was brought to the mills from all around the Muskoka area, even as far north as Sudbury and North Bay. The railway brought some logs and so did the ships. Logs were also floated to the mills from many different locations. Upon arrival to the mills logs were kept in the water with huge booms, and were dragged to the mills when ready to cut. The finished lumber was then loaded in to railway boxcars or ships and sent to their destination.

Gillies Walddiw  Victoria Harbour Sailing Ship

Ships provided a second option to transport logs and finished lumber. The Victoria Harbour Lumber Company utilized both ships and rail for their products.

The tiny hamlet of Victoria Harbour with about 200 dedicated workers at the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company had made John Waldie the second wealthiest lumber baron in Canada by the turn of the 20th century, in just over 20 years.

My next article will be a continuation on the wealthy philanthropist, John Waldie and his family. Whatever happened to his 13 children, some lives ending in tragedy? What happened to John’s two wives? Find out next time.

Mark Gillies is a lifelong resident of Burlington, who grew up in Aldershot and developed as a local historian, researcher, master genealogist and writer who has a passionate interest and extensive knowledge of the many early pioneer families.
Mark will write a regular column about colourful local history introducing Burlingtonians to the people that made this city what it is today.

 

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