THE GRAPEVINE

Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society presents

the

fall 2013

Grapevine ❦

GardenTour Ok, so let’s talk garden tour.

In a weak moment in the middle of winter two years ago, I agreed to be on the Creemore Garden Tour in 2013.

Cathy Gildiner

How was I supposed to know that the day was actually going to arrive? Who am I, Einstein?

Those in charge of the tour told me the Book Store would sell my books. How did I know everyone on the tour had already read them? (Either I am a really popular writer or that was peoples’ polite way of saying ‘I’m not buying your bloody books, I’m looking at your flowers.’)

The most amusing part of the day was viewers’ questions, or as I like to refer to it, as the front porch Q and A.

(All of these questions are real.

Nothing has been changed to protect the innocent.)

Q. Do you buy your mulch or make your own?

A. I borrowed the wood Chipper from the Fargo film set and made my own mulch by throwing in all supporters of the mega quarry.

Q. I have 23 species of peonies. How many do you have and what is your favourite?

A. One and it is pink.

Q. Do you mind if I take some clippings? (Woman holds a two-foot mound of clippings from all of my plants. More rest in the pockets of her walker.)

A. Yes.

Here is some advice to all aging gardeners who, like me, believed you’d left competition behind, and would enjoy the garden tour.

Think again.

Competition never dies.

It will outlive you.

You will find yourself up at night begging your peonies to hold off blossoming and urging your lilies into bloom with mounds of fertilizer for the fateful day.

Despite all the angst and expense, it was actually fun on floral doomsday. We live on a 200 year old farm

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hello fellow members. I wanted to recap a very busy spring for PHAHS. SueAnn Wickwire

We pulled off two major fundraising events for the Society – the Lobster Dinner and the Garden Tour. Between the two events we raised $7000.

The Lobster dinner was sold out at 113 people with a waiting list again this year. The lobster was cooked to perfection under the supervision of Jim McPherson, Ernie Purkis and the beer team. The evening came off without a hitch. Thank you to Fran Breithaupt for managing the event and doing such a super job. We also thank Marie Stephenson and Sandy Trott for the success of past dinners. We have our seven garden hosts to thank for all the hard work they put in to get their gardens ready for the

previously owned by the Hawkins family for over a century.

Several viewers, now in their nineties, who knew the farm when the Hawkins lived in it for generations, stopped by and told us what life was like on our farm long ago. This part of the day was fascinating. A man saw the barn burn down; another knew the home without indoor plumbing. One used to swim in what he swore was a clear fresh water pond, which is now what I would call a large petri dish.

It was the Hawkins who laid out the rock garden a century ago using the stones from the property as they cleared the land. All I have done is tend it.

Photography Provided By: I hear that some of the family is still in the county. Next year I’ll let them give the tour.

June 22nd Garden Tour: Emma Noonan, Jim and Dawn McPherson, Chuck and Lee Magwood, Gordon and Lu-Anne Demetrick, Ralph Hicks, Michael and Cathy Gildiner & Chuck and Sandy Spencer.

Approximately 335 people ventured out to see the gardens. Reviews were very positive. I want to the thank the great committee that worked with me on this event – Kate Fleming, Miriam Vince, Cheryl MacLaurin, Sue McKenzie and Jim Harkness. And thank you to the 32 volunteers that gave up part of their Saturday to manage garden traffic.

This fall be sure to set aside the weekend of Oct 4,5,6 to attend the second Creemore Festival of the Arts.

We hope you like our redesigned newsletter. Thank you to Ruth Ann Pearce and Michael L'Ecuyer from coloveration art & design.

ARTIST PROFILE: RUTH ANN PEARCE By: Nanci White On July 13,1986, 3 year old Ruth Ann Pearce’s parents came downstairs in the morning to the living room walls covered in large, red crayon loops. She explained to them she had needed more paper. It looked like they had a budding artist on their hands.

Carpenter hobbyist Dad subsequently encouraged supervised hammering and nailing as more suitable media, so much so that, in time, she wrested the coveted grade 8 woodworking prize out of the hands of her grumbling male peers. Further training in stints at the Oakville Art Society, before high school, fed her early established graphics appetite with Disney style animation, caricatures and full colour rendering comic books, produced in prodigious variation.

By late high school, art had seemed to have given way to the more serious aspects of socializing, but an earnest grade art 13 teacher gave her the opportunity to prepare a portfolio, make up stalled projects and so paved the way to her acceptance at every art school to which she applied. The lure of the prestigious Ontario College of Art and Design proved irresistible, plunging her into the world of fine art, painting and drawing.

But her husband- to-be, Michael, and his friends, were all cooking up great visuals in the design stream and

DIGITAL SELF PORTRAIT

AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES ACRYLIC PAINT, COLOURED PENCIL & INK ON STONEHENGE PAPER gradually the attraction of pen and ink, strong line, colour work and contrast took over from her formal interest in realism, nude studies, and extreme life portraiture. Graduating in 2007, Ruth Ann briefly left the high intensity art world but realized, by 2009, that if she were serious about her creative life, she had better get back into the flow. And she did with a vengeance: a 90% sold out show at Industrees Gallery,Toronto, in November, 2009, showcased her burgeoning strong suit: pen and ink realism, this time animals, and here beginning an ongoing series of compellingly realistic, bright and graphic bird life depictions.

But by 2010, urban life in Toronto’s Little Italy was proving stifling and distracting to the newlywed career artists, who sought the larger, freer canvas again, this time prompted by Mom’s random drive-by discovery of the countryside around Dunedin. Within 4 months, Ruth Ann and Michael had packed up their furniture, lives and art supplies and moved to Creemore: to begin the business of art.

Today, in their 142 Mill Street, South Side, studio and gallery, this 2 person dynamo of expertise turns out the newest, edgiest treasure trove of commercial and fine art: galley quality drawings and digital illustration, editorial design, web site design and implementation, magazines, t-shirts, logos and corporate identities, printing and dye cuts for clients ranging from apple growers to newspapers, from Los Angeles to Lavender.

Named ‘coloveration’, a collaboration of love, their business is artful love in deed. For a small taste of their big success, log onto experiencecreemore.com and watch the lights come on in town at 8:00pm every night. Or go to their own dazzlingly modern graphic website, www.coloveration.com, for more eye candy and info.

THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS IS SURE TO ENTERTAIN & INSPIRE... TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED!

THE SCULPTURE GARDEN

❦ CREEMORE’S FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS OCTOBER 4, 5 & 6 JASON COLLETT’S ‘BASEMENT REVIEW’ AT THE AVENING HALL

The Sculpture Garden, sponsored by the Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, will feature large pieces by three local sculptors – Ernest Herzig (Dunedin), Roy Hickling (Barrie) and Ralph Hicks (Creemore).

Ernest Herzig’s stone, stainless and aluminum pieces depict harmonious couples and gender equality. Roy Hickling’s series of metal globes seeks to place our planet in its largest context while reminding us that it is our only home. Ralph Hicks will be creating Public Works – a live series of original installation pieces using material borrowed from the Clearview Works Department.

JURIED ART SHOW

This year Avening Hall is pleased to celebrate YEAR TWO of the Arts Festival with Jason Collett’s critically acclaimed Basement Revue for TWO NIGHTS at the ACC. Each night Collett will be joined by a gang of guests – some musicians, some writers and some other friends too.

Past guests of the Basement Revue include Feist, Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, Hayden, Buck 65, K-OS, Dave Bidini and Luke Doucet.

For more information about tickets, go to www.aveninghall.com or contact sara@creemore.com, 705-4669906. Advance Tickets - $20 for Friday, Oct. 4, and $30 for Saturday, Oct. 5. Doors open at 7:00 pm, show starts 8:00 pm. Dinner will be available for purchase Men with Knives on Friday and Localista on Saturday.

Adults only. May contain mature content.

Our 2nd annual Juried Art Show, installed at the Station on the Green, is juried by a committee which includes a past director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the current Curator of the Quest Gallery, a local student/artist, and a PHAHS executive member. ‘Emerging to experienced’ artists will be showcased, making the work accessible to all who visit.

Gain insight into what inspires their creative process by joining the artists at our members’ reception on Saturday October 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Choose your favourite work to add to your collection of local art.

PURPLE HILLS WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION PHAHS members visit with friends at a private viewing of the Juried Art Show on Saturday October 5 from 5 to 7 pm, at Station on the Green.

Meet the artists, and enjoy some refreshments and remarkable art. Suggested donation $15. RSVP phahs. artsfestival@gmail.com.

creative undertaking needs your face!

ARTISTS ON LOCATION

ARTICLES

ARTicles is a three-day Silent Auction of transformed articles. Community participants will create/transform an object into a piece of collectible art. Viewing and bidding from 11:00 am to 5 pm, October 4, 5 and 6, at the Mad and Noisy Gallery.

Enjoy a wide variety of art in business and studio locations. Pick up your copy of the September 27 edition of the Creemore Echo for a full listing of artists or check online at www.phahs.ca for details.

Photography Provided By: Bryan Davies Photography Artists currently registered are:

A portion of the profits from the auction will be donated to the Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School Music Program, for the purchase of new instruments.

For more information, contact Gail Caswell madleaarts62@gmail.com.

THE CREEMORE MOSAIC PROJECT: TAKE TWO

Peter Adams, Inese Bite, Martha Bull, Lisa Chandler, Loralie Clemmensen, Nikki Cosack, darci-que, Bryan Davies, Liz Eakins, Jordan Eveland, Ernest Herzig, Roy Hickling, Ralph Hicks, Diane Hutchings, David Johnson, Alicia Lawson, Taylor Ledden, Norma Lee, Karen Lee, Mike and Connie Leishman, Jim Leithead, Frieda Linke, Carola Little, MK Lynde, Ayrlie MacEachern, Kai Liis MacInnes, Sue Miller, Andrea Mueller, Edison Osorio, Ruth Ann Pearce, Bianca Perren, Dorothy Shropshire, Sara Sniderhan, Suzanne Steeves, Peter Taylor, David Dillon, Jenn Wilkins, David Wilson, Sandi Wong, Jane Wynne

SIMCOE COUNTY MUSEUM PRESENTS HERITAGE CRAFTS AT

THE LOG CABIN

Join local photographer M.K Lynde, as she snaps your picture to include in her interactive community photo project. M. K. will be crowd-sourcing images on the streets of Creemore, on Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6, from 10:00 am till 4:00 pm. This

Join the interpreters from the Simcoe County Museum for a display of Heritage Crafts at the Creemore Log Cabin. View live demonstrations of textile craft, learn about crafting from days gone by and try a hands-on program. Volunteers from the Log Cabin will be available to answer questions about this important building from Creemore’s past. Free and open on Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm: all ages.

BARRIE COUNTY CHORDSMEN

the book “Skink on the Brink” for an all ages handson clay modeling session that illustrates the techniques used to illustrate their amazing book. Kids can Enjoy story time and learn how to create your own dimensional illustrations using plasticine.

From noon to 3:00 pm, Robin from RoroArts will make sock puppets with kids aged 7 and older. Afterwards kids can play away on a giant puppet theatre stage. Registration is required to ensure enough supplies are on hand; Contact info@curiosityhousebooks. com.

ARTISAN SHOW AND SALE Come and have your spirits lifted by the glorious Barrie County Chordsmen and friends, as they present old songs and new songs in harmony and joy.

For more than 37 years, this group of 65 men (ranging in age from 14 to 80-plus years) has entertained communities in Simcoe County, singing four-part harmony in a unique a cappella style. Performing on Sunday, October 6, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, at St. John’s United Church. Donations much appreciated.

For more information contact David Wilson (705) 466-5223, or go to their website www.barriecountychordsmen.com.

VARIATIONS ON THE LITERARY ARTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

What greater gift is there than a unique article which is made by hand? Meet talented local artisans and find some fabulous handmade crafts, artwork, wood working, jewellery, and body products at the Creemore Legion on Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Brunch available.

EXCITING ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES PRESENTED

BY MOVING IN COMMUNITY Kids and families are invited to join Ayrlie MacEachern and Sara Felschow from Moving in Community on Sunday October 6, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Station on the Green for programs which explore dance and movement.

Curiosity House Books and Cardboard Castles Children’s Emporium are pleased to present Variations on the Literary Arts this year. On Saturday October 5, from 10:00 am to noon, they will welcome Lisa Dalrymple and Suzanne Del Rizzo, author and illustrator of

• 10:00 am to 12:00 noon Listening Body – Contact Improv.

• 12:30 to 1:00 pm Flash dance your t-shirt! Rip and rock a shirt you modify.

• 1:00 to 3:00pm Modern Dance with Sarah and Ayrlie.

• 3:00 to 4:00 pm Mini dance performances.

What better opportunity is there to explore their artistic side and set their imaginations free? More details will be available, closer to the event. For more information contact Ayrlie MacEachern (705) 444-0550,mayrlie@hotmail.com.

“HOOKED IN HOUSE” AT MAD MAPLE COUNTRY INN

with readings from the draft script, costume design drawings, songs-in-progress and initial choreography - created in collaboration with local people under the guidance of director Dale Hamilton and composer James Gordon.

ALLA PRIMA OIL PAINTING: A LIVE DEMONSTRATION OF PAINTING A HEAD BY SARA SNIDERHAN Watch award winning artist, Sara Sniderhan paint an oil sketch from a live model. Sniderhan is keen on discussing materials, techniques and her experiences as a professional artist with visitors to the Mad and Noisy Gallery . The demonstration will begin at 10:00 am, with a break from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and will conclude at 4:00 pm.

– THANK YOU – Mad Maple Country Inn proudly presents Hooked in House - A play with one actress, seven fascinating women and seven small plates, on Sunday, October 6 at 2:00pm. The audience will travel from room to room for an intimate performance by acclaimed, threetime Gemini Award-winning actress Nicky Guadagni, while enjoying seasonal refreshments that reflect a time and place in history at each turn. Visit www.madmaple.ca for ticket information. Tickets are limited and Accommodation Packages at the Inn are available.

BIDINI, BOOKS AND BEER On Sunday, October 6, at 2:00 pm, join Dave Bidini for an author event at the Avening Hall. Dave is a Gemini, Genie, Juno and Canada Reads award-nominee, as well a founding member of the Rheostatics.

He will be will be reading from his newly-released book, Keon and Me: My Search for the Lost Soul of the Leafs. This event is hosted by the Creemore Men’s Book Club and all genders are encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact hewitt.e@gmail.com.

Reservations are appreciated.

DIGGING DEEPER Sunday, October 6 at the Avening Hall (time to be confirmed) enjoy a sneak preview of a play which tells the dramatic story behind the mega-quarry battle,

the

Grapevine managing editor................................................................................................................................Yvonne

Hamlin Ann Pearce design..............................................................................................................................................Michael L'Ecuyer contributing editors..............................................Chris Raible, Cathy Gildiner, Nanci White, SueAnn Wickwire copy editor............................................................................................................................................Nanci White photographers...................................................................................................................Bryan Davies, MK Lynde production.....................................................................................................................................Ruth

WHERE OUR MONEY GOES During this operating year we have dispersed over $13,000. The monies have been directed to the following sponsorships/donations/grants programs: ❧ Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School - $3000 for school band instruments ❧ Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School - $500 for Arts/History Student Awards ❧ Stayner Collegiate - $1000 for Arts/History Student Awards ❧ Avening Community Hall - $2000 towards safety repairs ❧ Mad & Noisy - $1000 to support the CreemoreCentric Community Show ❧ St. Luke’s Gift of Music - $1000 to support music in the school ❧ Arts in the School Program - $2862 to provide art classes for grades 6-8 ❧ Imaginarium Summer Art Camp - $600 to sponsor three kids to attend the camp ❧ Creemore Children’s Festival - $500 towards event programming ❧ Community Events - $750 towards Santa Clause Parade and Canada Day

BECOME A MEMBER If you are not already a member here is how you can join and receive the Grapevine newsletter on an ongoing basis.

If you are not already a member here is how you can join and receive The Grapevine on an ongoing basis. Membership costs $25.00 for a single and $40.00 for a family. You can log into our website www.phahs.ca and join online using paypal or print the membership form and mail it to:

PHAHS, 10 Caroline Street East, Creemore, ON, L0M 1G0

BULLETIN BOARD MAUREEN AND BRIAN BIXLEY'S LILACTREE FARM GARDEN

CAINE'S CORNERS SCHOOLHOUSE 100 YEAR CELEBRATION

SEPT. 16 10AM – 4PM

SEPT. 27 – 29 10AM – 5PM

8 Side Road Mulmur, ON

Simcoe County Road 10 & 9th Concession Creemore, ON

Colchicums, cyclamen, late-flowering clematis, rare trees, spectacular views. Call (519) 925 - 5577 or email lilactreefarm@gmail.com.

GALLERY SCHEDULE MAPLESTONE GALLERY — AUG. – SEPT. — New work by Canadian artists, Sharon Loeppky, Roberto Centazzo, Sophie Drouin, Heather Vollans, Lynn Rowdon, Anja Hertle, Nancy Groshens and others.

THE CURIOSITY BOOKSTORE & GALLERY SEPT. 6 – OCT. 3 Lorette C. Luzajic, writer, poet and visual artist. Show opening SEPT. 6, 5 – 7PM.

MAD & NOISY GALLERY

COLOVERATION ART & DESIGN

— AUG. – OCT. —

— SEPT. – DEC. —

Go With the Flow - group show. Show opening Aug. 24, 2 – 5pm.

— NOV. – DEC. —

— OCT. —

Joy to the World - group show. Show opening Nov. 24, 2 – 5pm.

New work and jewellery

by Suzanne Steeves and other Canadian artists.

OCT. 1

— NOV. — Small works and jewellery just in time for the holidays.

CreemoreCentric Show Canvases go on sale. $20 + HST. Show entry deadline Dec. 30. Show opening Jan. 4, 2 – 5pm.

New works by fine artist Ruth Ann Pearce.

VI EW PO IN T ER IT AG E H

HOMETOWN SECURITY By: Chris Raible On Library Street south of Caroline stands a small stone jail – built in 1892, it is perhaps Creemore’s most famous building. For half a century its three cells served as a holding tank: offenders were jailed short term; more serious criminals awaited the next train to transport them to court elsewhere in the County.

Almost a decade earlier, thirty-three “Freeholders and Householders” of Creemore petitioned Simcoe County to “erect the village into a Police Village.” A by-law was passed; “Police Trustees” were elected; a constable, was employed ($40 a month) to keep the peace. By 1892, the village needed a secure lock-up, a “Police jail.” A lot by the railway line was purchased ($50) and James Clow erected the jail ($425.20).

Alas, apparently no records exist naming those jailed, totaling how many were incarcerated, or listing their offences.

What is known is that along with its purpose as a short-term prison for criminals, the jail had continuing social functions. An old newspaper reports that its first inhabitant was a stray cow!

Drunkards were held overnight to allow them to sober up. During the 1930s, the jail provided unemployed itinerants with temporary shelter.

BOARD MEMBERS: president..................SueAnn

Wickwire Hamlin secretary........................Miriam Vince treasurer........................David Wilson past president..........Cheryl MacLaurin vice president...............Yvonne

OTHER DIRECTORS: Fran Breithaupt, Gail Caswell, Simon Heath, Sara Hershoff, Sue McKenzie, Ruth Ann Pearce, Suzanne Steeves, Miriam Streiman, Nanci White & Paul Vorstermans CHANGES At the AGM in March we welcomed four new Board members and said thank you and goodbye to four.

JOINING: ❧ Sue McKenzie, Chief Administration Officer for Clearview Township ❧ Gail Caswell, Retired, a former Visual Arts Teacher ❧ Miriam Streiman, Owner/Operator of Mad Maple Country Inn ❧ Ruth Ann Pearce, Co-owner of coloveration art and design in Creemore DEPARTING:

In the 1940s, changing policing practice closed the jail. In the 1960s (thanks to the Lions Club) it was opened as a tourist attraction, advertised as “North America’s Smallest Jail.” Reportedly, other Ontario communities contest the claim – it may depend upon external vs. internal dimensions, area vs. cubic measurements. Until an objective study is made, Creemore will continue to affirm that it is a village with a big heart and the smallest jail.

❧ Kate Fleming ❧ Cecily Ross ❧ David Bruce Johnson ❧ Linda Coulter