Mosaicfall2014

King

fall 2014

MOSAiC a r t s

h e r i t a g e n a t u r e

Ansnorveldt I Kettleby I King City I Laskay I Lloydtown I Nobleton Pottageville I Schomberg I Snowball I Strange I and surrounding area

Grants On behalf of Council, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the fall edition of Mosaic.

King comes to life in the harvest season! Get up-close and personal with Ontario's top and prestigious chefs on Sunday, September 7th as King will proudly host the Organic Advocates’ 25th Anniversary Feast of Fields at Cold Creek Conservation Area. Please join us on Saturday, October 4th at Ansnorveldt Park as the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association (in partnership with the Township of King and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury) brings you the Holland Marsh Soupfest featuring delicious, piping-hot soups made with locally grown produce from the Holland Marsh prepared by local restaurants and talented chefs. Explore the incredible selection of local fall produce and goods at York Region’s many Farm Fresh venues, including the special presentation of Pumpkin Pie Trail taking place September 27th to October 5th (for further details, please visit www.yorkscene.com).

The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is pleased to announce the reopening of Hickstead Memorial, Davis, and Trail Head Parks following their renovation this past summer. Be sure to enjoy these new accessible parks and playgrounds upon their completion this fall!

As we move into the autumn months, I encourage everyone to remain involved in King and support our businesses by shopping local. Please visit our website at www.king.ca to further explore the opportunities that await you in your home town.

Sincerely,

Mayor Steve Pellegrini

If you are a member of a community group that is working on a new project or initiative that helps to further the vision, goals, strategies and actions identified in King’s Community Sustainability Plan you may be eligible to receive funding or resource support from the Township through Sustainable King Grants.

The Sustainability Advisory Committee is pleased to share the NEW Sustainable King Grant Guidelines. The new Guidelines and updated Application Form will be available in October and can be accessed at www.sustainableking.com.

King’s Sustainability Plan is focused on implementing sustainable actions and leveraging the resources of our community. We must work together to ensure the Plan’s success!

For more information contact Sara Puppi, Sustainability Coordinator: (905)833-4080 or sustainability@king.ca

FOLLOW SUSTAINABLE KING ON TWITTER LIKE SUSTAINABLE KING ON FACEBOOK WATCH OUR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

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O C T O B E R 27, 2 0 1 4

w w w. k i n g v o t e s . c a

Parks, P arks, Recreation R e c re a t i o n & C ultural Events Events 2014 2014 Cultural Fallffe Fallfest est September 20th Cold Cr Creek eek Conser Conservation vation Ar Area ea 11:00 am to 3:00 pm m www.king.ca w ww.king.ca 7th Ann Annual ual Headw Headwaters waters Horse Country Countr y Stab Stable le T Tour our o October 4th & 5th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm m www.headwatershorsecountry.ca w ww.headwatershorsecountr y.ca Soupfest Soupfest October 4th Ansnorveldt Ansnor veldt Park 11:00 am to 4:00 pm m www.soupfest.ca w ww.soupfest.ca Haunted F Forest orest 25th October 24th & 25t th Cold Cr Creek eek Conser Conservation vation Ar Area ea 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm www.king.ca w ww.king.ca

2075 King Road, King City, ON L7B 1A1 Phone: 905-833-5321 www.king.ca

CONTENTS 4

Cruizin' at the Schomberg Street Gallery Eva Folks

6

King Remembers!

Honouring Our Heroes from the Great War

8

Biologist at the Table Chicken, Eggs...and the Obvious Answer

9

Carving a Place in the History of Canadian Art: MCAC Pays Homage to Charles Edenshaw

11

Memory and Remembrance The Great War and Christmas Truce, 1914

12

Events in and around King…just ASK! Local community events: September to December

13

King - Street Banner Contest

14

Fincham's Fashions for Horses and Humans

15

From Russia to Russets

16

Winnie the Pooh...and Colebourn too!

17

Monarchs, Milkweeds and Mexico Cold Creek Stewardship Report

18

Dawn Langstroth: Two careers...one life...

19

Letters Home from the Great War

20

The Time-Traveller's Barn

20F

6

15

18

Canadian Soldiers Diaries - A personal series of sketches WWI 1914-18

MOSAiC Volume III Issue 4

King MOSAiC is published

by Arts Society King

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & ARTISTS

www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca

The mission of Arts Society King is “to establish and maintain an organization in King Township that fosters inspiration, understanding and appreciation for the arts, heritage and nature.” Our primary objective is “to provide support services to the arts, heritage and nature communities in King Township for the purpose of enhancing communication, education and the promotion of their respective activities.”

Distributed four times a year (December, March, June, September) to all households in King and some in Aurora.

Other Distribution Sites IN King Township: Holland Marsh - Bray's Fuels; Kettleby – Cardinal Golf Club: The Bistro at Redcrest, Dorios Kettleby Italian Bakery; King City – Arts Society King Office, Country Apple Orchard Farm, Country Day School, King City Dental, King City Farmers' Market, Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute, Locale Restaurant, Oak Ridges Trail Association - All Saints Anglican Church, Pine Farms Orchard Country Café, Seneca College, Villanova College; King Township – U of T's Koffler Scientific Reserve, Libraries, Municipal Offices, Museum, Royal LePage; Nobleton – Art Equine Studio Gallery at Winsong Farm, Cold Creek Gate House, Dreamwood Furniture, Fincham's Harness Shop, Nobleton Physiotherapy; Pottageville - Pathways to Perennials & Blossom Café; Schomberg – Anchiques, Artista Custom Framing, Richvale Saddlery, Schomberg Agricultural Fair & Farmers' Market, Sheena’s Kitchen, The Grackle.

Distribution Sites OUTSIDE of King Township: Alliston - Gibson Centre, South Simcoe Arts Council; Alton - Alton Mill; Aurora - Caruso & Company, Pine Tree Potters, St. Andrew's College, The Aurora Cultural Centre, York Region Arts Council; Bolton - Forster’s Book Garden, Naked Vine; Creemore: Mad & Noisy Gallery; Etobicoke - Humber River Shakespeare Co. @ Montgomery's Inn, Kleinburg - Cashew & Clive Café at The McMichael, Hawthorne House; Lunenburg, NS - Gail Patriarche Gallery, Mosaic Treasures; Newmarket - Covernotes tea & coffee house; Richmond Hill - Burr House Craft Gallery, Covernotes tea & coffee house, Mill Pond Gallery; Rosemont - Dufferin County Museum, Simcoe Arts Web Design; Toronto - Toronto & Region Conservation; Tottenham - A Taste of Freedom Restaurant, Century 21 Gallery.

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks in an FSC certified plant.

Editorial content is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction of the contents of this publication without the written consent of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher is responsible for errors in advertising only to the extent of the cost of that portion of the advertising space occupied by the error.

Virginia Atkins

Sue Iaboni

Sharon Bentley

Manitoba Historical Society

Alan Bray

Dawn Langstroth

Norman Earl Campbell

Library & Archives Canada

Campbell family Shoebox

Ann Love

Canadian Museum of Civilization

McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Canadian War Museum

Trevor Mills

City of Winnipeg

Liza & Roman Moskaltsov

Gordon Craig

Joanne Nonnekes

Judy Craig

Pathways to Perennials

Craig - TRCA

Russell Hughes Rabjohn

William Epp

Eleonora Schmied

Eva Folks

Brian Sinnott

Kathleen Fry

Lauryn Sinnott

Penny Gilbertson

Timeless King Online - KTPL

Lou Godard

Cheryl Uhrig

Gordon Goldsborough

Gavin Watt

Gourlay Family Albums

Rachel Weiner

Nick Holmes

Dr. Arthur Weis

ON-LINE VERSION AT

COVER Eva Folks ‘Rubberneckers’

EDITORS editors@kingmosaic.ca Judy Craig Sue Iaboni DESIGN PRODUCTION Penny Gilbertson ADVERTISING sales@kingmosaic.ca Judy Craig Liina Peacock Nancy Stenhouse WEBMASTER Robert Pointer

ArtsSocietyKing.ca

Tom Wray

KingMosaic.ca summer 2014

MOSAiC

3

Cruizin’ at the Schomberg Street Gallery

by Sue Iaboni

va Folks meets me at the door of her house/studio wearing a Mickey Mouse T-shirt and a huge smile.

She leads me into her creative space, formerly the living room.

There is a big easel in the large bay window and a fish tank opposite. The sofa is covered with a blanket so her two dogs can lounge while she is working. A toy shelf in the corner is loaded with model cars – old Chevs, T-Birds, and other classics. A few stuffed animals; giraffes, lions, peer down from the top. I can tell this is going to be one fun interview!

A typical example of Eva’s work graces the cover of this issue of King MOSAiC. This piece, called “Rubberneckers” exhibits all the elements of her work: curved buildings, classic cars, and creatures. Her sense of humour shines through in the play on words in the title, and the licence plate ELONG8. The sightseers are perched in their classic Alfa Romeo; the wife’s outfit is accessorized with pearls and an alligator purse, and her hubby has his camera handy. The lion sits growling behind in his Corvette, waiting for the giraffes to move along and stop holding up traffic.

Eva's acrylic paintings are organized by se-

E

ries. She began with the building group that she calls the “Urban” series. Her quirky structures come in all colours and at all angles, often bisected by bridges, classic cars, and laundry lines. Occasionally the artist takes commissioned work for a specific city where she will paint iconic architectural spots, for example the Brooklyn Bridge, or the Seattle Space Needle, into her work. And sometimes a natural element pokes through - sun shining, moon glowing, or a tiny bit of grass or lake.

By way of explanation, the artist says her favourite painter is Robert Bateman. Her back yard is lush and her kitchen is filled with plants and natural light. When she isn’t in her studio she is out there puttering around in the garden.

A tribute to the environment can be seen in a piece called “Puddle Jumpers” where, you guessed it, frogs are the passengers in a tiny puddle-jumping car. Bull rushes line the roadside as the frogs head away from city life.

One very popular series is called “Cruizin” where Eva's love of cars brings her to paint her favourites, and fill them with comical characters.

One, called “Chicken Coupe” shows a Ford filled with chicks dolled up in their sexy best, heading out for a night on the town in their

ThunderBIRD. In “Dog Days of Summer” a group of dogs drive to the beach in their woody filled with their surfboards, probably singing along to an old Four Seasons tune on the radio. “On the Lamb” shows a mafia-style sheep wearing sunglasses, a fedora and puffing on a cigar, getting out of town in a hurry in his 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood. A 1941 Plymouth police radio car is on his tail.

How did Eva start out on this artistic path?

She remembers crayoning pictures underneath her parents’ dining room table.They were upset, but not too upset – the table stayed in the family for many years. She said she “always had a pencil in my hand.” Nevertheless she followed the career path her parents had nudged her towards: accounting and engineering classes, and spending time in their family business, a machine shop.This may be where she learned about angles and lines that figure so prominently in her urban paintings today.

Soon Eva began taking interior design classes

Editors’ notes: See article on page 20. Eva Folk's love of cars as subjects for her paintings reminds us of another upcoming event - our ASK fundraising adventure car rally around the township. Participants will be exploring unknown corners of King, discovering new people and products, and ending up with dinner at a car museum unlike any other, and not open to the public.You don’t need a GTO or a Corvette for this event; just rev up your engine and ASK For A Ride. Sunday, October 19 - ASK Fundraiser - ASK For A Ride. Registration: call Jane at 905.939.9357 or online www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca

4

MOSAiC fall 2014

at night, which led to painting walls with faux finishes and then murals. It was a short step from there to painting on an easel. She talks about the artistic process for her. Often she begins a painting and then she “gets stuck” and has to go on to paint something else while the ideas “percolate up” and she is able to go back and finish the first piece. She describes needing to see the piece in her mind, sometimes causing difficulty because it is hard to set up a giraffe driving a car in her living room.

Aha – the reason for the shelf of toys be-

comes clear.

Eva's future plans include the possibility of writing some children’s books. Her first attempt is tentatively called “Alligator Picnic.” She is also a co-founder of a group of Aurora artists and they are planning a show in the fall of 2015: Local Colour Aurora Paints the Town. Her work is currently on display at Edge Gallery in Barrie and at Pennello Gallery in Cleveland. She says she finds Americans really taking an interest in her work. M

Eva Folks is a contributing artist for the fourth time at the Schomberg Street Gallery on Sunday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. She finds this venue a great one for selling art and meeting clients. With a section of Main Street closed for the day, art lovers can meet with artists; watch them work; mingle with other show goers; sit at a street-side café; enjoy the beautiful backdrop of heritage buildings and of course, buy that special piece for a friend, family or your own home. www.EvaFolks.com www.StreetGallery.ca

fall 2014

MOSAiC

5

King Remembers!

by Gavin Watt

Honouring Our Heroes from the Great War

K

King Township’s heritage groups have established a committee to coordinate the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Great War. Representatives from the township’s museum, libraries, historical society, archives and arts society, along with volunteers from the general public will inform township residents about upcoming commemorative events, and assemble artifacts, images and memorabilia for displays at the museum and other appropriate venues.

The committee anticipates the creation of a series of presentations spanning the conflict – 1914-18, the years of intense warfare, and 1919, which saw the Siberian intervention, the peace process in Paris, and the return home of Canadian servicemen and women. Activities may be as diverse as movie screenings; a Facebook page; wartime music concerts; travel diaries; speakers’ series; school visitations; museum displays; and re-enactment presentations.

The museum’s initial displays will be in place by October 15th of this year, and feature a multi-media presentation of the employment of an amazing vari-

ety of animals during the war. For example – horses and camels as mounts; horses, mules and dogs in draft and transportation roles; dogs and pigeons as couriers; rescue and guard dogs; animals as propaganda, and in the critical role of maintaining morale as friends and mascots, and later in memorializing the conflict in art and monuments.

The museum also intends to launch a Memorial Wall featuring photographs of the relatives of township residents in their uniforms from all sides of the worldwide conflict. These images will be labeled with the veteran’s name, rank, service details and donor’s name.

Of course, original photographs may be too precious or fragile to display. In such cases, the committee will arrange to have them scanned so that copies can be used. The hope is to build the wall into a major display over the years until the commemoration’s conclusion in 2019.

If residents have a collection of a veteran’s artifacts such as medals, uniform pieces, badges, equipment, edged weapons that they would be willing to loan or donate to the museum, a specific display will be created in a secure

Silver War Badge Awarded during the war to soldiers who were discharged because of injury or illness.

Library & Archives Canada, Image - a002250-v8

Victoria Cross Recipient - Private Michael O’Rourke, VC MM, 7th (British Columbia) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

glass case.

Some future multi-media presentations and displays under consideration are: British Empire (Canadian) Service and Valour Medals and Ribbons; images of soldiers from all the participating nations; Infantry Small Arms of the major protagonists; women’s services overseas and on the home-front; and Postwar Service Pins and Awards.

An essential element of this endeavour will be participation by township

residents. Anyone with ideas about further commemorative activities should contact the committee through the township’s museum office at kingmuseum@king.ca or 905-833-2331.

People who wish to loan or donate artifacts of the Great War are also encouraged to contact the museum, as is anyone who has photographs of their relatives in uniform for inclusion on the Memory Wall. M Editors' Note: King Township Public Library and Arts Society King present a special Travel Diary event on November 11th at 7 p.m. at the King City Library. Lorraine Herd visited many of the sites of WWI.

TRCA is very excited to announce that the Nashville Resource Management Tract (NRMT) Management Plan was approved by the TRCA Authority Board July 25, 2014.

NRMT is a large TRCA owned property located in the Region of York within the municipalities of King and Vaughan. The landmass is approximately 820 hectares in size and is found within Humber River Watershed. The property supports a variety of wildlife and is an important migratory corridor. Because of its large size, and current and future ecological value, NRMT is an integral part of TRCA’s natural heritage system.

We needed to make a plan for this property. Rising population and several development plans surrounding NRMT have potential to impact the hydrology of the site, which many natural systems depend on. The NRMT Management Plan provides specific instructions on how to protect the natural heritage system of NRMT – while also providing visitors with nature-based recreation opportunities. Implementation of the plan, separated in to three phases over a 7-year period, is estimated to cost $3.3 million. The plan includes a

detailed 25km multi-use trail plan, sitesecurement projects, along with an assortment of natural/cultural heritage interpretation sites.

NRMT is currently the largest section of the Humber River without a multi-use trail. With the completion of the trail plan in NRMT and the surrounding area; trail enthusiasts could hike or bike from Albion Hills Conservation Area in Bolton, through Kleinburg, straight down the Humber River to downtown Toronto – mostly without using roadways. The Humber Trail System has national significance.

The NRMT Management Plan has been developed through extensive consultation with partners, community groups, stakeholders, and the public, and has been greatly strengthened by their input and expertise. NRMT has remained mostly untouched for the past 50 years and is anticipated to become a destination for those wanting to experience the best of the Humber River Watershed.

For more information, please go to: www.trca.on.ca/nashville or contact: Adam Dembe - Planner, Conservation Lands at adembe@trca.on.ca 6

MOSAiC fall 2014

CURIOSITY

CAN BE CONTAGIOUS.

Who will you be? That is an awfully big question. The answer lies within each and every person who walks through our doors. Our teachers have a passion for something – numbers, letters, or history perhaps – and they know how to ignite that passion in their students. A truly great teacher can watch a student shine and enjoy being the spark. It’s the kind of magic that doesn’t show up on a resumé. It’s in their eyes and in their hearts. When you are surrounded with incredible teachers and 100 acres of “Wow”, it opens up all sorts of possibilities to the question,

WHO WILL YOU BE? cds.on.ca/whowillyoube

JOIN US AT AN OPEN HOUSE October 8 7– 9 pm October 25 10 am – 1 pm

The Country Day School offers JK-12 in a co-ed, non-denominational environment located on 100 beautiful acres in King.

13415 Dufferin St., King, ON L7B 1K5 T: 905 833 1220 www.cds.on.ca

fall 2014

MOSAiC

7

BIOLOGIST AT THE TABLE

Chickens, Eggs… and the Obvious Answer

It’s the old conundrum. What came first, the chicken or the egg? When the Greeks started philosophizing, they found the question a stumper. Aristotle called the whole idea of a chicken not arising from an egg laid by another chicken “repugnant to nature.” Plato punted on the issue, citing his doctrine that all things in this world preexisted in spirit. Well, a few years back my friend Jacqui Shykoff, a Canadian who teaches biology at the University of Paris, pointed out the solution, and it’s obvious. Before I explain, lets consider eggs across the animal kingdom and how they work.

Even primitive animals, such as sponges, corals and oysters, have eggs, but these are simple affairs. Mom divides off a cell with a single copy of each gene, covers it with an outer coating—the chorion—then she ejects it out into the sea and hopes for the best. Dad does much the same with his sperm.

Floating aimlessly through the briny, the lucky few hook up. And a few days later you have a critter. The egg in these animals is really just the egg cell and the chorion.

Fish mating behaviour entails less chance and more romance, but the fundamentals are the same. Mom, enticed by dad’s antics, sheds her eggs into the water. He then sprays them with sperm. Many amphibians (toads and salamanders) spend their adult life in forest and field, but return to the water when their thoughts turn to love. Their eggs need to be submerged or they dry out.

This brings us to the reptiles—snakes, lizards, turtles and dinosaurs—who mate and rear their offspring on land. How do they do it? They take the water with them. Reptile eggs have a drying-resistant chorion. The egg cell, which we call the yolk, floats in a rich protein solution, the white. After fertilization,

The life your food leads before it reaches your table

by Dr. Arthur Weis

the cell divides again and again. Some of these new cells become the embryo, while the others develop into three different sacs. One sac, the amnion, houses the embryo. Within the amnion the developing creature floats in a saline solution, and so like their primitive ancestors, baby dinosaurs developed in seawater.

The yolk sac, as the name implies, holds the nutrients from the yolk.The allantois sac acts as a gill; it captures oxygen seeping inward through the chorion and carries it back to the embryo. In biological terminology, the entire ensemble is called the amniotic egg. Interestingly, mammals also develop in an amniotic sac, while the yolk sac, allantois and chorion combine to form the placenta.

But wait, you say…what about the chicken? Well, the chicken evolved through domestication of the junglefowl. Farmers from China to India all had a hand in it. And the junglefowl descended from an ancestral bird that also gave rise to pheasants, turkeys, grouse and guineafowl. And that ancestor descended from…well, you get the picture. If you trace the chicken family tree back far enough you get to a feathered dinosaur. And like the chicken, that dinosaur laid amniotic eggs.

So, as Jacqui pointed out, the answer to the conundrum is obvious. The chicken as we know it evolved after its amniotic ancestors, so clearly the egg came first. M

Refrigerator Pickled Beets and Eggs I make this recipe every summer as the vegetable garden reaches peak production. The pickled eggs are a refreshing lunch item on a hot day. And the beets can be served as a simple salad.

Ingredients: Canadian Made

10 eggs, hardboiled and peeled • Trim the root end and top from 3 lbs. fresh beets, scrubbed 2 cups cider vinegar 2 cups water 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick 8 cloves 1 teaspoon allspice

Authentic Furniture

Featuring the NEW Weathered Oak Collection

13785 Highway 27, Nobleton 905.859.7033

www.dreamwood.ca Using only the finest kiln dried materials in solid woods: Pine, Oak, Maple, Cherry, Ash, Walnut

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MOSAiC fall 2014

Directions: the beets and bring to simmer in a large pot of water. They are done when easily pierced with a fork.

• Peel the beets then slice into 1/4 inch rounds and place them with the peeled eggs into a 1 gallon jar.

• Combine the remaining ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil.

• Pour the liquid over the beets, let cool, and then refrigerate for at least 24 hr.

As you eat the beets and eggs, you can add more to the same brine. I keep refilling mine until Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Art Weis is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto, and former director of the Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill

Charles Edenshaw (attr.)

Bentwood Chest, late 19th century, wood, pigment Canadian Museum of Civilization, VII-B-1580

Carving a Place in the History of Canadian Art: McMichael Exhibition Pays Homage to Charles Edenshaw

Charles Edenshaw Sea Bear Bracelet, late 19th century, silver McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Purchase 1974, 1981.108.1 Photo: Trevor Mills, Vancouver Art Gallery

by Rachael Weiner, McMichael Canadian Art Collection

Charles Edenshaw’s work has come to epitomize the art of the Northwest Coast in the minds of many Canadians.

His dynamic carvings and unique hybrid designs represent the beauty and vitality of Haida art and culture, past and present. The first retrospective of Edenshaw’s work, organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery, is now on display at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, almost ninety years after the artist’s death. Simply titled Charles Edenshaw, the exhibition includes eighty extraordinary objects as well as archival photographs, that shed light on the life and career of one of Canada’s most skilled and prolific artists, a man who has earned his place in the pantheon of Canadian art.

Edenshaw was born Da.a xiigang at Skidegate in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, to a prominent Haida family. He trained as a carver under his uncle Albert Edward Edenshaw, and inherited from him the title of Chief 7Idansuu. In about 1873, Edenshaw married Isabella, an accomplished artist in her own right, and the two collaborated on a number of works, a selection of which is included in the exhibition. Charles Edenshaw died on September 12, 1920 in Old Massett at the age of approximately eighty-one.

A Culture in Crisis Throughout Edenshaw’s lifetime, Haida ways of life were challenged by contact with Europeans, disease, economic expansion, and new laws that prohibited traditional Aboriginal ceremonies and

practices. In 1862, the Pacific Northwest Coast experienced an outbreak of smallpox which claimed the lives of approximately half of the Indigenous peoples living along the coast between Victoria and Alaska. It is estimated that by the end of the nineteenth century the Haida population had been reduced by over ninety percent. Edenshaw’s body of work stands as a visual record of a critical period in the history of Haida culture and speaks to the richness and resiliency of Haida traditions.

New Materials and Markets One of Edenshaw’s most distinguishing characteristics as an artist was his ability to maintain and develop traditional Haida forms, while at the same time adapting to new materials and markets.

The maritime fur trade and the colonization of Haida Gwaii brought an influx of foreigners who introduced new objects, media, and iconography. Edenshaw incorporated Victorian and American imagery such as floral patterns and the American-style eagle into his designs, producing canes, spoons, and other objects that merged traditional Haida techniques with new motifs. The quality and ingenuity of his work attracted the attention of anthropologists, ethnographers, collectors, and other outsiders who purchased Edenshaw’s work for public and private collections. As a result, his art can be found in institutions worldwide, including the American Museum of Natural History; the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA); the Staatliche Museen zu

Berlin; the Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford in England; and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

The Exhibition Following highly successful runs at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Canada, the exhibition makes its final tour stop at the McMichael, an institution know for collecting, preserving, and displaying the work of First Nations artists. The exhibition, arranged around four themes, presents the wide range of objects that Edenshaw created during his lifetime, including model totem poles, argillite platters, gold and silver jewellery, woven hats and baskets, and other impeccably crafted works of art.

The first section of the exhibition, entitled Haida Traditions, affirms the Haida foundations of Edenshaw’s art, featuring objects that were used by the family or that depict family crests, including a carved settee and cradleboard. The Narrative section highlights Edenshaw’s ability to animate Haida stories in his carving using interwoven forms, particularly in his argillite platters, bringing new life to traditional subject matters. The exhibition’s Style section focuses on the artist’s masterful approach to form and line, and includes his gold and silver carved bracelets, painted hats, and model poles. Finally, New Forms explores Edenshaw’s innovative use of new materials and motifs with traditional Haida themes to create unique hybrid works.

The Sea Bear Bracelet One of the highlights of the exhibition, the silver Sea Bear Bracelet, was acquired by the McMichael in 1974, and embodies Edenshaw’s masterful use of space and line. Described by exhibition co-curator Robin Wright as “classic Charles Edenshaw,” it is the artist’s largest known bracelet. In an interview with McMichael Assistant Curator Chris Finn in the inaugural issue of the McMichael Magazine, Edenshaw’s great-grandson Robert Davidson notes that the Sea Bear Bracelet is one of his great-grandfather’s finest works, displaying an unmatched fluidity of design.

The McMichael will welcome Robert Davidson, also a prominent artist based in the Vancouver area, on Saturday, September 6 from 11:30 to 12:30 pm for a discussion on Edenshaw’s legacy and the continued importance of art within Northwest Coast communities.

Fee: general public: $29; students with valid ID: $15. To purchase tickets, call 905.893.1121 ext. 2209 or visit mcmichael.com for more details. M

Charles Edenshaw is organized and circulated by the Vancouver Art Gallery. The exhibition is made possible with support from The Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Government of Canada through the Museums Assistance Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and Mr. David Aisenstat. fall 2014

MOSAiC

9

Free Sportsguard Clinic Sept 27/14 1-4pm Space limited

Free Consultations Free Whitening ask for details

September marks our ST

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MOSAiC summer 2014

Memory and Remembrance

The Great War and Christmas Truce, 1914 hen I was young, my maternal grandparents took leisurely Sunday afternoon drives in the country around Toronto. Occasionally my brother and I joined them, bouncing around in the back seat of their sleek green Studebaker, trying to behave. My grandparents preferred the quiet life but they also wanted to give my Mother a break by taking us out of the house – she had two more babies and a workaholic husband to wrangle.

The Sunday drives lie at the edge of my memory – but glow with the warmth of a happy childhood. Our destinations varied. I remember morel picking in King Township, seeing the lion statues on the Queen Elizabeth Way, eating fruit salad as an appetizer in Buffalo, and visiting great uncles and aunts in Whitby or Collingwood.

The uncles were big-boned farmers and fishermen who wore plaid shirts with baggy pants held up with suspenders. They smoked pipes or chewed tobacco. The aunts wore aprons over print dresses with sensible shoes and served plates of sugar-sprinkled pound cakes, tart rhubarb or raspberry squares, and plum preserves. We sat in stuffy parlors talking about the weather and the comings and goings of relatives with names like Rita and Lou, Jack and Irene, Cliff and Willamene.

Both my grandparents came from large families – ten surviving siblings for one and eight for the other – so I never really knew who they were talking about – a forebear, a cousin, a niece, or

W

whatever.

On the long trips home to Toronto in the Studebaker, Poppa sang, probably to keep us quiet in the back seat. He had a gentle, rich tenor voice and it was very calming. I remember him singing It’s a Long Road to Tipperary, Keep the Home Fires Burning, Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, The Rose from Picardie and other tunes from World War I. He sang and told modest stories about his life and the war.

Poppa – or Thomas Moore Gourlay – was born in Manitowaning, Ontario.

He worked in Buffalo as a shoemaker before he enlisted. In the Second Battle of the Somme he was injured from a shrapnel burst and was left, after a long recovery, with a limp. He met my grandmother in rehabilitation in Whitby after the war. She was a nurse and interjected into his storytelling her stern opinions about the trenches, rats, mud, pneumonia, shell shock, and mustard gas.

My grandfather mostly talked about the better times during the War. And that always included the music. He remembered that, on quiet nights, he could hear German soldiers singing across the barbed wire and “No Man’s Land.” He said one early winter night he heard a clear German voice sing Silent Night, Holy Night – and then Poppa sang it. I felt I was there, with him in his trench, listening to a beautiful voice, foreign but also just like his.

He said many soldiers all along the Western Front, on both sides, spontaneously walked up onto No Man’s

by Ann Love

Land on Christmas Day, 1914. They talked and traded cigarettes with the enemy. He talked to Fritz, a young “fresh-faced” German soldier, and found Fritz was just like him, missing family and his home.The next day they were both back in their separate trenches shooting at each other.

Recently I thought I would look up my grandfather’s record. No one in the family today remembered most of the battles he fought before his injury or how long after the war he remained hospitalized in England. Once I started my Internet search, I found his regiment number and rank quickly.

I learned he was a sergeant, something I didn’t know before. Library and Archives Canada are digitizing all WWI service records this year as a centennial project and not mailing out copies of records they are actually working on.

Even though they are supposed to have uploaded the “G’s,” to date I can still only see my grandfather’s attestation and medical examination papers upon enlistment. No information about his battalion or unit, battles, his discharge, or his wound – maybe they are all lost. His medals –Military,Victory, and King George VI Coronation Medals -don’t tell me much either; but I know he was proud of them.

When I read his enlistment records, I smiled when his complexion was described as “fresh,” his birthplace Manitowaning, his residence Buffalo N.Y., and his employment a leather worker. But the date he had his medical exam in Toronto was December 27, 1915. His

The King T ownship H istorical S will prese ociety nt a celeb ration of Truce, 191 the Christ 4, in song mas and with several lett readings fr ers sent h om ome from describing the front the Truce:

1914 Chr 100th An istmas Truce niversary Concert Friday, D e

cember 5 at the Ma th, 2014 rylake Sh $15 per tick rine et, childre 7:30 p.m.

n 12 and u Call Elaine n 905.841.40 der free 41 or Diana 9 05.859.396 5

first Christmas in the trenches would have been 1916, not 1914.

Since the Christmas Truce of 1914 was disapproved by higher command, orders were clear it must not be repeated. Stories circulate, however, that a truce of sorts was honored in isolated places along the front Christmas, 1915. Historians have long said that by Christmas 1916, any good feeling across the lines that might trigger a truce had faded with the misery of the war dragging on and the use of gas and the first tanks. But a letter surfaced in 2010 from a Canadian on the front at Vimy describing a short Truce on Christmas Day, 1916, when the Germans and Canadians lay down their arms and traded cigars for “bully beef.”

Elders in our family do not remember Poppa serving at Vimy.

It seems I have misremembered my grandfather’s Christmas Truce story. Or he was part of an event that is off the historical record. Or he told someone else’s story so vividly that I thought it was his. I will likely never know. If I had the chance, I would ask him if he signed up because of the story of the Truce.

His sentiment certainly didn’t wear thin with the grim reality of war, trauma, and the passage of time.

A hundred years later both family memory and historical record fall short of fact. But I can still return to that wellpolished Studebaker, smell the leather interior mixed with his pipe tobacco, and hear the timbre of his soft tenor voice singing those old marching tunes.

Full memory lies just out of reach, but the feeling of remembrance remains strong. M [Photo One] Thomas Moore Gourlay, on the right, with his brother Cliff, on the left, and his father in between. When his sons appeared in their new uniforms, the family story goes, Thomas Gourlay Sr. put on his old North West Rebellion uniform for this photo.

[Photo Two] A staged snapshot taken at camp in Surrey, England. Thomas Gourlay, on the left, wrote on the back “To Mother, From Tom.” [Photo Three] In recovery after the war, Thomas Gourlay (centre) between his father and another man, possibly his brother-in-law Will Halliday.

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Events in and around King Township ...just

Watch this fall! King devotees of Richard Serra are planning to bring Simone Estrin and her documentary "A Shift in the Landscape" to King. "It explores the ongoing battle to protect Shift, one of pioneering American sculptor Richard Serra's earliest site specific artworks." Simone, a graduate from McGill University is working at Ryerson Image Centre while working on her MFA in Documentary Media Studies at Ryerson University. Stay tuned!

Now to October 26 - Aurora Farmers Market & Artisan Fair, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday in the Aurora Town Park, on Wells St. between Mosley St. and Metcalfe St. www.TheAuroraFarmersMarket.com September ORTA Hikes in and around King.

September 10 at 9:30 a.m. - Humber Valley Heritage Trail (south section); September 13 or 27 at 9 a.m. - King City (Eaton Hall & Marylake loop); September 17 at 9:30 a.m.- Palgrave Forest; and September 19 at 9:30 a.m. - Happy Valley. www.OakRidgesTrail.org Now to September 21 – Charles Edenshaw at McMichael Canadian Art Collection. See extraordinary works by this master Haida artist who died in Old Massett, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in 1920. This is the final stop of the acclaimed exhibition organized and circulated by the Vancouver Art Gallery. September 6th - Charles's great-grandson, Robert Davidson, to speak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets online or 905 893 1121 ext.2209. www.McMichael.com September 4 to 14 - 39th Toronto International Film Festival. Robert Downey Jr.' film The Judge to open the festival. www.TIFF.net.

September 6 – Binder Twine Festival in Kleinburg. Gate opens at 9 a.m. $8 per adult, $6 for seniors and teenagers and $3 for children aged 2 to 12. Parking $2. An exciting day filled with unique crafts, great entertainment, Olde Tyme activities and great food awaits the entire family.

Wheelchair accessible. www.Bindertwine.ca September 6, October 4, November 1 Astronomy Workshops at Cold Creek Conservation Area. Parks Recreation and Culture staff are running Astronomy sessions once per month for all family members. September 6 at 6 p.m.

October 4 at 5:30 p.m. and November 1 at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own telescopes or binoculars.

Some will also be supplied. Free. Register at www.ColdCreek.ca September 7- 25th Anniversary Celebration Organic Advocates "Feast of Fields". 1 to 6 p.m. Cold Creek Conservation Area. 14125 11th Concession, King Township. 30 Of Ontario's top chefs and Food Network celebrity chefs, VQA

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MOSAiC fall 2014

Wineries, Micro Breweries, Local Farmers, Artisans. Food demos. Tickets $100 per person.

Buy on line at www.FeastOfFields.org or 905 859 3609. VISIT THE ASK BOOTH! September 7, 21, October 5 - King City Farmers' Markets, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church. Organic produce and Home Baking. Celebrate "Everything Pumpkin" at the October 5th market with a sampling of curried pumpkin soup and spicy pumpkin loaf, recipes included. Call Janet 905 830 9403.

September 11 to October 30 - Pottery for Kids at Kingcrafts Studio, 12936 Keele St., King City.

ASK and Kingcrafts present this 8 week program, Thursday Evenings, 6:30 to 9 p.m. for kids 10 to 15 years old. Cost $150 per person. To register call 905 841 7649. www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca September 13, 14 - 158th Beeton Fall Fair.

Saturday midway opens 10 a.m. Parade at 10:30 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Wild West Show.

Evening - Movie Night in the Park. Sunday at 4 p.m. Demolition Derby and Classic Car, Truck & Motorocycle Show. www.BeetonFair.com September 13, 27, October 11– Schomberg Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m. to noon in the Schomberg Fairgrounds. Fresh vegetables, Baking, Crafts, and much more. It doesn’t get any better than this! www.SchombergFair.com September 13 to November 29 - Cutting Edge, at The Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church Street. A collaborative exhibition and sale showcasing the art of Schomberg artist Jane Geard, OSA and award-winning Toronto artist Christine Kim. Both artists work in areas such as printmaking, collage and cut-paper. September 27 Artists' Reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Join Jane October 8th from 1 to 3 p.m. and Christine November 5th from 3 to 4 p.m. www.AuroraCulturalCentre.ca or call 905 713 1818.

September 14 – 6th annual Schomberg Street Gallery, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor Juried Exhibition & Sale of Fine Art and Unique Crafts along historic Main Street in the village of Schomberg (Hwys 9 & 27). Double the number of artists this year! Streetside cafés, Lions BBQ, Rickshaw Rides. Main Street closed between Doctor Kaye and Church Street. www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca and www.SchombergStreetGallery.ca September 14 - 34th Terry Fox Run in York Region. Look for the King City Lions hot dog booth at Wellesley Park.www.TerryFox.org/Run. September 18 - Twist and Shout at the Famous People Players Theatre. King City Seniors Travel Club. Call Jane 905 833 5870 or Carol 905 833 3324 or Nora 905 833 6162.

September 19 to 21- 156th Bolton Fall Fair.

Friday 6 to 10:30 p.m. Adults $12, 11 & under $5. Saturday 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Adults $10.

Sunday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults $7, 11 & under $2. Weekend pass Adults $25, children 12 and under $10. www.BoltonFair.ca September 19 to October 5 - The Headwaters Arts Festival. A juried art show and sale, studio tours, literature readings, concerts, a talent contest and workshops for both kids and adults throughout the hills of Headwaters region. www.HeadwatersArts.com September 20 – Walking for Wildlife. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Procyon Wildlife hosts its 3rd Annual Fundraiser to benefit orphaned and injured animals. Palgrave Forest & Wildlife area. Lunch 12:00 noon at the Caledon Estates Banquet Hall.

Call Lindy at 905 406 0201 or email lindytotty@rogers.com. www.ProcyonWildlife.com September 20 – Fallfest, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cold Creek Conservation Area. Enjoy high ropes, rock climbing, hiking, jumping castles, wagon rides and a family BBQ. $10/car. www.ColdCreek.ca September 22 – “Plants I wished I'd never planted” at 7:45 p.m. Nobleton King City Horticultural Society presents Frank Kershaw at the Nobleton Women's Institute Hall. Members are free. Non-members $3. www.altflora.com/nobleton September 23 – “Irises - the gift that keeps on giving" by Chuck Chapman at 7:30 p.m.

Schomberg Community Hall. Members free.

Non-members $3. Contact Jill 905 939 2781 September 24 to 28 – Canadian Show Jumping Tournament at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave. Featuring International Show Jumping. Final outdoor event in Eastern Canada to qualify for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. www.Equiman.com September 24 - King Travel Diaries "I always wanted to go there!" - Himalayas.

7 p.m. King City Library. Sukumar, a resident of Kettleby, will transport you to the pristine Himalayan region for a trek through high altitude mountain passes, crisscrossed only by traditional tribal Gaddi shepherds - breathtaking views, cave camping, remote villages, Dalai Lama and Tibetan cooking. www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca or www.KingLibrary.ca September 25 - Write Now @ King! 7 - 9 p.m. at the KT Public Library, King City Branch: Opening meeting for the 2014-2015 year. All published and aspiring writers welcome. Come and help us celebrate our seventh year of working together as writers. Call Sue 905 833 0490.

September 27 - Culture Days Canada, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all ages, at the King Township Museum. It is time to express your creativity King and participate in some culture! Upcycle garbage cans into famous artwork that will remain on the museum property for all to see. Visit Arts Society King Show Opening – Richmond Hill Studio Tour Artists. Free events. Contact Kathleen at 905 833 2331. www.CultureDays.ca, www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca September 27 & 28 – Georgina Studio Tour.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. "A Wonderful Local Adventure". Visit artists and guest artists on this selfguided tour through Keswick, Sutton, Jackson's Point, Pefferlaw and Baldwin - a great fall drive. www.GeorginaStudioTour.com.

September 27 to October 5 - York Region's 2014 Pumpkin Pie Trail. Visit the Pumpkin Pie Trail venues in York Region to celebrate all things pumpkin and for chances to WIN great prizes. For your own map visit www.YorkScene.com/PumpkinPieTrail.

September 28 - The Sharon Temple Storytelling Festival, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum, 18974 Leslie St. Storytellers, musicians, mimes, puppeteers, photographers, artisans and performers from a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Stories and activities for everyone and every age! www.WeavingWords.ca.

October 4 – Holland Marsh Soupfest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ansnorveldt Park. Enjoy the harvest and bounty of the Holland Marsh though soup sampling and a fall harvest celebration. Tickets online (at gate): adult $12 ($15), Student/Senior $7($10), Child/Youth $5, Families (2 adults, 2 children) $30 ($35). www.Soupfest.ca October 10 to 31 - Schomberg Scarecrow Competition presented by the Schomberg Village Association. Walk or bike the neighbourhoods of Schomberg with family and friends to see the many scarecrows then vote for your favourite on line. Scarecrows can be displayed on your own property. See the website for registration information, prizes and inspiration & tips on how to build your own scarecrow.

Contact Cheryl 905 939 8494 www.SchombergScarecrows.com October 10 to January 4, 2015 - Morrice and Lyman in the Company of Matisse at McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Two Montreal artists, James Wilson Morrice (1865-1924) and John Lyman (1886-1967) crossed paths with Henri Matisse (1869-1954) in France and Northern Africa in the early 20th Century. See how Matisse inspired them with their quest for light and exceptional mastery of colours. www.McMichael.com

fall 2014 October 15 to December 12 - King Remembers: The Great War 1914 – 1918, at the King Township Museum. Join us as we explore the impact and consequences of the First World War with a display of artifacts and artwork significant to the era. Known historically as the Great War, this conflict caused upheaval and devastation that led to major change in communities and society globally. 905 833 2331 KingMuseum@king.ca October 18 & 19 - 12th Annual Richmond Hill Studio Tour. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the studios and community spaces showcasing 40 artists at 20 locations including potters, jewellers, sculptors, print makers, photographers, silk & fibre artisans and many forms of visual art. Call 905 787 1441 ext 222 or michelle.zikovitz@richmondhill.ca. www.RichmondHill.ca/StudioTour October 19 - ASK For a Ride - Adventure Car Rally and Fundraiser. 1 to 8 p.m. King Township. Gear up for an afternoon of fun. Discover King Township with new eyes. Challenge your team to solve mysteries, win prizes. Finish your adventure at a private car memorabilia museum, with an auction and a delicious pig roast dinner.

Tickets $100 per person. To register call Jane at 905 939 9357 or info@artssocietyking.ca. www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca October 19 - Field to Table Dinner at All Saints Anglican Church, King City at 5 p.m. Enjoy the harvest bounty at a dinner with live Irish toe tapping music by 4 piece band Wheelhouse with one of the East Coast's best fiddlers. This is an opportunity for all of King Township, young and old, to thank our farmers. Tickets $20. Call Janet 905 830 9403 or the church 905 833 5432.

October 19 to 25 - Ontario Public Library Week in King Township. “Libraries Inspire!”

Check out www.KingLibrary.ca for events.

October 21 - Historical Tour of Toronto with lunch at Hot House. King City Seniors Travel Club. Call Jane 905 833 5870 or Carol 905 833 3324 or Nora 905 833 6162.

October 24 - York Region Arts Council annual conference ‘Think Big’ at the Springhill Suites

by Marriot, Vaughan. www.ArtsExposed.ca

October 24 to 26 – 24th Annual McMichael Autumn Art Sale, at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. Opening Night Gala on Friday Oct. 24th from 6 to 10 p.m. Sale continues Sat & Sun, 10 to 5 p.m. www.McMichaelVolunteers.com

November 6 - Excellence in Businesss Awards Dinner at Nobleton Lakes Golf Club.

Call 905 717 7199 www.KingChamber.ca

October 27 - KING VOTES!!!

November 9 - Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Kettleby Cemetery Cenotaph at 12 noon.

October 27 – “Indoor Plants - Gardening doesn't end with the first frost” with Ian McCallum, Manager of Woodhill Garden Centre.

7:45 p.m. Nobleton Women's Institute Hall. Members free. Guests $3. Nobleton and King City Horticultural Society. www.altflora.com/nobleton October 27 to 30 - Preschool Haunted House @ Schomberg Library. 6 to 8 p.m. Come to the Library and experience a boo-rific good time!

There will be thrills and chills and the children should come dressed in their Halloween costume! A small donation welcome. For children 0 – 6, however all ages welcome. www.KingLibrary.ca October 28 – “Strange Plants, Unusual Gardens, Odd People and a few Garden Tips for Good Measure” with Dave Hobson, 7:30 p.m.

Schomberg Community Hall. Schomberg Horticultural Society. Members free. Guests $3.

Contact Jill 905 939 2781 October 29 - KTPL Book Signing. 7 to 9 p.m. at the King City Library. Meet Catherine Gildiner, Canadian author of After The Falls. On October 1st her latest book Coming Ashore will be available in bookstores. www.KingLibrary.ca November 2 - The Great War: Early Mobilization - Visual Presentation by Gavin Watt. 2 p.m. at the King Township Museum. Many historians contend that the citizens of all nations faced the beginning of the war with dread, and that the mobilization of their armies and gathering of volunteers took place among fearful, handwringing families. Yet, in the early days, photographic evidence indicates quite the opposite. Gavin will review the general mobilization of Austria-Hungary, Russia, Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, and will take a peek at Canada, as a representative of her many Dominions and colonies. 905 833 2331 www.KingMuseum@king.ca

November 7 to 16 - The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. www.RoyalFair.org

November 11 - Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Schomberg Cenotaph in front of the Trisan Centre, 25 Dilane Drive, at 10:30 a.m. Organized by the Schomberg Lions Club and the Schomberg Agricultural Society.

November 11 - A Special Edition of the King Travel Diaries - King Remembers: WWI sites in Europe with Lorraine Herd at 7 p.m at the King City Library. www.ArtsSocietyKing.ca or www.KingLibrary.ca November 15 - Gatsby Garments: What They Wore to Roar. 2 p.m. at the King Township Museum. Roll down your stockings and throw on some beads as we present fashion from the post WWI era. Travel back in time with us to the gin joints and speakeasies, boudoirs and beaches of the roaring twenties, for an intimate look at authentic fashion artifacts from this unique fashion period. Tea and refreshments will be provided.

Tickets $20/person. Registration: 905 833 2331 KingMuseum@king.ca November 21 to 23, 29, 30 - Kingcrafts Studio Sale. Open 21st - 1 to 7 p.m. Open 22, 23, 29,30 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This 64th annual sale of unique one-of-a-kind items includes: pottery, stained glass, silver, fine art and other fine handcrafted works including enamelled items, hooked hangings and rugs, weaving, jewellery and more. kinginfo@kingcrafts.ca or 905 833 1897. www.Kingcrafts.ca November 22 & 23 – 3rd Annual Christmas in Kettleby – We Still Believe, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in heritage venues in the historic hamlet of Kettleby. There will be 20 -25 juried artisans offering their one of a kind creations and handmade items from abroad. The artisans will enable our patrons to find a treasure not a bargain. A $5 passport stamp will provide access to all venues.

All admissions go to the King Township Foodbank. Contact g.vogan@sympatico.ca.

November 28 - Port Hope Christmas Lights Tour with supper. King City Seniors Travel Club. Call Jane 905 833 5870 or Carol 905 833 3324 or Nora 905 833 6162.

November 29 - Christmas in King. 5 to 8 p.m.

Keele St. and King Road in King City. King City Business & Community Association welcomes all to meet Santa; enjoy holiday cheer with your local businesses and Kingcrafts Studio sale; and participate in the Christmas Tree Lighting. If you would like to volunteer please write info@kingcitybusiness.ca. Come and join the fun! www.KingCityBusiness.ca November 30 – Tree Lighting Ceremony in Schomberg, 5 - 6 p.m. on Main Street. The Schomberg Village Association invites you to join them in some holiday music with hot drinks & cookies to start the festive season. The official tree lighting ceremony will be at 5:15 p.m. www.Schomberg.ca December 4 - King Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Luncheon & Toy Drive, at Cardinal Golf Course, 2740 Davis Drive.

Call 905 717 7199. www.KingChamber.ca December 5 - 1914 Christmas Truce 100th Anniversary Concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Marylake Shrine. The King Township Historical Society presents a celebration of the Christmas Truce 1914 in song and with readings from several letters sent home from the front describing the Truce. Tickets $15. Children 12 and under free.

Call Elaine 905 841 4041 or Diana 905 859 3965.

December 6 – “A MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS” - celebrating its 20th year. Along Schomberg’s Main Street, 3 to 9 p.m. Craft Show is from 3 to 8 p.m. Santa Claus Parade at 4 p.m. and The Farmers' Parade of Lights at 8 p.m.

Admission $5, children 12 and under free.

905 939 4024 or www.Schomberg.ca December 7 – “Lighting of the Gazebo & Christmas Tree - Nobleton”, corner of Hwy 27 & Sheardown Rd. from 5 to 7 p.m. Join the Nobleton Village Association.

ArtsSocietyKing.ca

WE’RE STILL OPEN ASK President Sue Iaboni and Mayor Steve Pellegrini congratulate the three winners of the King Street Banner Contest hosted by Arts Society King in partnership with the Township of King.

Brigette Granton, Donna Greenstein and Alexandra Conrad's beautiful banners are hung in key locations around King.

Relieve Joint Pain Protocol GMB AVAILABLE AT: Richvale Saddlery 7195 Hwy 9, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0

905-939-1076 www.richvalesaddlery.com Daily10:00 - 5:30 pm

We are more than a lunch room.

Delicious entrées and desserts.

Entertaining at Thanksgiving?

Let Sheena's Kitchen help.

Located in the Old Schomberg Feed Mill at 357 Main St., Downtown Schomberg

905.939.4640 fall 2014

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FINCHAM’S FASHIONS FOR HORSES AND HUMANS

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When entering Fincham’s Harness Shop in Nobleton, the visitor is embraced by the rich smell of leather. Gleaming halters, lead shanks, bridles and other equestrian-related items are proudly displayed on the walls. It becomes imminently clear that an artist is at work in this heritage building that at one time housed a butcher shop and a vet clinic.

This artist is Brian Sinnott, who, with his wife Lauryn, came on a backpacking visit to Canada in the early seventies and decided to call Canada their home. They immigrated in 1976. Back in his native South Africa, Brian worked as a civil engineering technician, but his true passion was working with his hands. In Cape Town he created surfboards and furniture.

When setting up shop in King Township he saw the opportunity to cater to the needs of the township’s long standing equine industry and began making saddles, bridles, halters, harnesses, girths, chaps and other horse-related items.

Brian carefully inspects every tanned hide for imperfections and only chooses the

Simcoe Arts

Web Design

by Eleonora Schmied

highest quality of leather for his work. He prefers the leather from England for its fine grade and patina. “The leather has more body to it,” Brian explains. “The tanning process for this kind of leather takes up to nine months, because the hide is tanned in vegetable oil, soaked in various solutions and then drum dyed and hand rubbed to get its rich patina.

On cheaper leather the colour is sprayed on,“ he says.

For more supple and softer leather, chrome tanned leather is used. It’s a shorter, less expensive tanning process with many colour options. The client can order a “colour inlay” to match the stable colours to the bridle and reins.

Brian recalls a story where clients took their horses to Florida and literally were stopped in their tracks by people, demanding to know where they got their beautiful coloured halter. “You see, every piece of leather is carefully selected, hand cut with a drawing knife and sewn in house, (often by hand). An edger is used to finish off the edges, which are then hand rubbed to colour match the leather. We use a skiving knife where the leather needs to be thinned out and a slot punch to punch out the holes for buckles. The stitches are channelled, which means that they are done below grade, which

prevents the thread from wearing off prematurely,” explains Brian. He proudly displays a lunging surcingle that has wool padding and gleaming solid brass hardware.

The back room at Fincham’s Harness Shop is truly the heart of the shop. Here the equine enthusiast can find anything that is horse related.

The main focal point is a Durkopp Adler industrial sewing machine that is used for most of the stitching. Also in use is an antique Pfaff Sewing machine. The nylon thread used for hand stitching is called Tiger Thread. It is waxed and braided and comes in different colours and weights, depending on its application.

Brian’s assistant, Mike Crump, is sitting on a stitching horse repairing a seam on an item a client brought in for repairs. “We do a lot of custom work and repairs here; a couple of years ago we repaired the leather straps on an artificial leg. Recently I made a dog harness for a Jack Russell Terrier so he could be sitting in a type of leather “snuggli” in front of his owner on a motorcycle. We also replaced the leather straps, which hold the hood down, on an antique car.

We make leather tumplines for canoes and seat covers for motorcycles - the possibilities are endless,” Brian explains.

& hosting EST. 2005

Photos: Lauryn Sinnott

The upstairs rooms at Fincham’s Harness Shop are used as a cutting area and to store the large leather inventory and hardware. Only solid brass and stainless steel hardware is used. Even a bathroom was taken out to make room for Brian’s handpicked leather. In another room, Brian’s other assistant, Melanie Platford, is hand stitching a shadow roll made out of sheep skin, an attachment to the horse’s bridle, which prevents the horse from getting spooked by shadows.

One of Brian’s prized possessions is a foot operated Pearson’s harness & saddle sewing machine made by British United Sewing Machines. “It’s over 100 years old,” says Lauryn, “but then we have been saying that for 40 years now,” she laughs.

While Brian loves to work

on equestrian products, he enjoys exploring new things and expanding his creativity. In his workshop one now finds hand-made, custom dog collars with colour inlays, messenger bags, clutches that show off their rich grain, customized belts, fishing rod cases, day timer covers and key chains, just to name a few. “There are unlimited options of what he can do,” Lauryn proudly says.

When asked what his biggest challenge was, he explains that it is hard for people to understand why his handmade creations cost so much.

Sometimes it might take him an hour to pick just the right leather for that perfect piece and to make the best use of the material.

“You have to put time into something good!” he concludes. M FinchamsHarness.com

specializing in small business and the arts

Robert Pointer 705-434-9907

admin@simcoearts.com

simcoearts.com

Editors' Note: Brian Sinnott will showcase some of his portfolio at this year’s Schomberg Street Gallery on Sunday, September 14th. SchombergStreetGallery.ca 14

MOSAiC fall 2014

by Joanne Nonnekes

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consulting and ard management, ch or es id ov pr ’s help they n, who ily farm. With Jack oskaltsov are so m M fa za w Li d ne an e th an to om ng oney crisp, vision for traini rieties of apples (h g bi va a w ne ith w ng le di ad up n gu a co ing new lden delicious) us Orchard have be go le d an pp A n ke ry sil nt , ka ou C izu the oria, sh their cture to improve road in ambros ru de st Si g th in 16 ow e gr th d s an Farm on ready for the an technologie w varieties will be ne the orchard, has e of es p Th . to ld e th yie d at , ar . rn next year (2015) low, but also ch King. The apple ba ur own” harvest of the orchard be yo ly Roman and ick on d, t “p ar no , ch w sor di e vie e io. In th ction of th incredible ar se nt is O th ke ed La ur to ds e ar w As eating. They wn tow what they are cr ys. The gorof the landscape do da e ar id cle pr on ith w le e ib spok s with new wer is vis scany can Liza e older apple tree Tu th to tance, the CN to e d ac re pl pa re m to co ue ntin uce. Their some have Roman’s will co lty fr uit and prod of ia e ec geous view, which ec sp pi r a d he an ot e d ality apcup of coffe varieties an farm with high qu ue iq ut be enjoyed with a bo a te ea to cr oduce pie. ples and pr top of dream is e th ar fresh-baked apple ne d lan g can gently rollin where people Set on 17 acres of to ed ar ck p pi m to co ly e es come, not on ich some hav h w , the Oak Ridg ew vi s u to eo so rg al o a all The g apples, but of coffee and p cu Mor aine , the sm a h it w d ly ul ye tif jo s Tuscany can be en enjoy the beau family farm hold . ie p le p d. ap aked e landscaped orchar 11 acres of appl f Roman’s fresh-b o ce ie p r plans in ement about thei cit ex ith orchard planted w e ok sp yond.

The couple cut offers t 26, 2014) and be d us ar ug ch A or neat rows with ng e ni Th pe s. (o althy apple tree for this season London, England grass between he ar y ar ts both in nopied picnic area lin ca cu a d ie ith ud w st n, g tio in op ntario, Roman Hav aison College in O a “pick your own” ith a patio. The Li w at rn ly ba nt e ce pl re e ap or corporate a dm l as an re and plans to in op and sells an fa for picker s as wel sh ry e ke fe ba of s /c hi ry g ke in pand s of the orsmall ba er, local un- is ex l, given the succes el cid barn houses the w e s pl A u. ap en ed m riz h e in the lunc sh pasteu n last year, they ar farm fresh small tio l op ca bagged apples, fre lo n” r ow he ot ur d yo an ick moving y, pumpkins baked chard’s “p easing the parking, sh cr in fre d pasteurized hone ’s an an g in m ov Ro pr Fuim e along with chil- process of m of the orchard. ol tto ho bo sc e l th ca seasonal produc lo to r g fo in s d is host to tour the picker s’ park complete with goods. The orchar pumpkin patch Language (ESL) a e nd ud co cl Se in s as an pl ish maze for chilEngl ture on weekends. area with a straw dren, as well as es ay pl rid a d on an ag w w rs ro fe ec ul, manicured and of e year s ago scar visits. The beautif re groups of adults, ily th m a fa ad e an nc C ha in en de organarrived en, to ents, and plans inclu Roman and Liza nsula on the dr ev ni r pe fo l a ea on id d o te als ca weddings. ard is Russia, lo oking parties and Korea and orch bo th d from Vladivostok, or an N ls, of iva s st er fe rd or bers of to the bo was an izing fairs ming active mem co za Li be d Sea of Japan close e an ar an law m al ForLiza and Ro actised crimin pation in Growing Americi rt th pa or h N China. Roman pr ug to ro e at Th . igr d their community wanted to imm ing assistance an accountant.They d Canada after a hich offers fund te w es gg rsu F2 r de (G he Fe 2 ot io m d ar an’s ross the war d joining the Ont ica so when Rom ing. They came ac ps for farmer s) an ok ho lo ks er s of Onn or ga w be ly ey th on ) and Apple Grow e, their FA visit here , tim e (O th re t A ltu . ed icu gr ok A ith other ion of d were ho d collaborating w an spent helping at g apple orchard an e tin tim ee ’s m an e m ar Ro ung, iming was tario, they is bright for this yo a child. ok as experience of farm w tlo ou he e n Th he w s.

Counrmer on her farm e Canada, and the as their local fa w ad m rd ha ve his grandmother rc ha O ho le w pp le Country A M , migrant coup Liza believes that Farm, their home. eir new proper ty th rd in ha rc ity O un le rt pp po A y op tr red Jack Couldestiny. They saw chard, and they hi or ld -o ar ye 27 with its

For more information go to CountryApple.ca

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Winnie the Pooh... and Colebourn too!

by Kathleen Fry, curator; King Township Museum

Forget everything you know about A.A. Milne’s cute and cuddly Winnie the Pooh

Bronze statue, Winnie the Bear & Harry Colebourn, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg. Sculptor William Epp. Photo: City of Winnipeg.

- in actual fact Winnie was a black bear from the forest near White River, Ontario named for Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was adopted by Harry Colebourn in 1914 as he made his way across the country from his new home in Winnipeg to military training in Valcartier, Quebec.

Colebourn was on his way to war – the Great War had started in Europe and, when England declared war on Germany, Canada was included. The stop in White River was not by chance but by necessity – White River was an important rest stop where the trains could fill up and in this case, the horses accompanying the soldiers could be unloaded and exercised.

Colebourn escorted them as a veterinarian, having joined the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. at the start of the war. His affinity with animals must have been the reason he adopted the small female black bear, and for $20 (the equivalent of close to $500 today) he took her away from her dead mother and the hunter who orphaned her.

Winnipeg Bear, quickly shortened to Winnie, was nurtured by Colebourn throughout training camp and on board the ship that would take him back to his native England. She became a favourite mascot of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, taking many photos with soldiers that became treasured mementos on the front. Although she was smuggled into the country illegally she was soon a celebrity at the London Zoo which agreed to shelter her until Colebourn could return for her from the battlefields of France. Winnie’s adventures turned out to be far more vast and exciting then the bear who self describes as “a bear of very little brain”.

“We can’t all and some of us don’t.That’s all there is to it.” A.A. Milne Colebourn visited her as often as he could during leave but he eventually decided against bringing her back to Canada with him – perhaps realizing that proper care would be provided at the zoo. And the London Zoo was where A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin famously made friends with Winnie; a friendship that included birthday parties in Winnie’s enclosure and everlasting fame in the stories from the Hundred Acre Wood. As she was accustomed to being around humans, her temperament was praised by zoo keepers who trusted her to be gentle around children and adult visitors alike.

Major Harry Colebourn (ret’d) was an animal lover his entire life, setting up a small-animal practice once he returned to Winnipeg and I have no doubt the adoption of a small black bear in northern Ontario was an act of compassion on his part.

Although a plaque was erected in 1919 commemorating the donation of Winnie to the London Zoo the fact that she was the inspiration for the beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh was lost for some years. It wasn’t until 1987, 40 years after Harry died, that the connection was verified and confirmed by his son Fred Colebourn. When remembering his father, Fred is quoted as saying “my father was such a kind, gentle man. He used to say you can tell a lot about someone by the way they treat their animals.” White River, Ontario the site of the adoption holds the annual Winnie’s Hometown Festival the 3rd weekend in August, this year celebrating the 100th anniversary of Winnie and the Captain. M

"Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem".

A.A. Milne 16

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have just returned from Michoacan, Mexico, where each year up to 14 colonies of Monarch butterflies winter in the mountains 100 km northwest of Mexico City. The fall return of the butterflies often coincides with the nationial Dia de Muertos festival and local residents view the butterflies arrival as the return of their ancestors' souls.

Monarchs cluster in such high density colonies that their numbers are measured by the total hectares (ha) occupied in the UNESCO Santuario Mariposa Monarca in Michoacan. The area of occupation varies annually but from 1994 to 2003 an average of 9 ha was used by the butterflies. From 2004 to 2011 the average dropped to 4 ha. In 2013 the area used was less than one hectare. The period of major decline corresponds with the introduction of genetically modified corn and soybeans resistant to glyphosate, a herbicide applied to fields to kill weeds prior to planting. One of the plants eliminated in this type of field preparation is the milkweed, essential for Monarch egg deposition and food for larvae. In 2007 corn production and field utilization were increased to meet the demand for ethanol biofuel production.

A number of factors contribute to the reduction of the Monarch populations. The loss of milkweed from the agricultural areas of the mid-west United States, southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes have had the most drastic impact on Monarchs. The use of herbicides on and mowing of roadside corridors and shoulders also reduces milkweed. Illegal logging and tourist invasion in the Michoacan sanctuary have reduced the wintering habitat. Changing climate patterns of more extreme temperatures and rainfall are affecting survival of migrating and over wintering butterflies and impair the reproduction of successive generations traveling north.

Monarch butterflies migrate north from Mexico in early spring and go through three or four reproductive generations on their way to the northern US

I

wildflowers as it moves further north to continue the progression of successive generations. Spring and summer adults live only a few months but the last and migrating generation enters a non-reproductive diaphase stage that lives up to eight months enabling it to migrate back to Mexico, over winter and begin the return journey north.

A number of volunteer groups are making efforts to increase milkweed growth to compensate for the loss of agricultural habitat through herbicide use. Monarch Watch provides historical data and background information. Journey North collects volunteer observations and maps first sightings of adults, eggs and larvae. Residents and municipalities throughout North America are being urged to plant milkweed waystations in their gardens, parks and roadsides; encourage nectar producing flowers for Monarchs and pollinators; and avoid the use of insecticides.

Cold Creek Conservation Area has extensive meadow habitat where milkweed and wildflowers can grow naturally and provide the reproductive essentials for Monarch butterfly reproduction. Consider a milkweed patch and nectar bearing flowers for your garden and give the migrating Monarchs a boost. Visit our Monarch page on ColdCreek.ca for special reports, links and videos. M

Monarchs, Milkweeds and Mexico The Cold Creek Report

by Gordon Craig

states and Canada. In the spring, the migratory individuals transform to a reproductive phase and mate before departure. As the migratory females fly north they deposit eggs only on milkweed in southern Texas and die within two weeks. The eggs hatch in four days and the larvae grow over two weeks eating milkweed leaves before spinning a chrysalis and entering the pupa stage. The adult emerges after another two weeks and lives on the nectar of several flowering

Links: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1290/ http://www.monarchwatch.org/ http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/ Videos Life cycle of Monarchs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk Migration of Monarchs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le1snq0ROXM Tagging Monarchs, Donald Barber http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnnxXisGp3U Dr. Chip Taylor – Challenges Ahead

Hand-crafted leather products made in Schomberg

References Benbrook, C.M. 2012. Impacts of genetically engineered crops on pesticide use in the U.S. – the first sixteen years. Environmental Sciences Europe 2012, 24:24.

Dell'Amore, C. 2014. Migrating monarch butterflies are in “grave danger”, according to a report that shows their colonies n Mexico now occupy the smallest area since records began in 1993.

National Geographic, January 2014.

Guerra, P.A., R. J. Gegear, and S.M. Reppert. 2014. A magnetic compass aids monarch butterfly migration. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5164.

Merlin, C.,R.J. Gegear, S.M. Reppert. 2009. Antennal circadian clocks coordinate sun compass orientation in migratory monarch butterflies. Science 325: 1700-1704.

Ramirez, M.I., R. Miranda, R. Zubieta and M. Jimenez. Land cover and road network map for the monarch butterfly biosphere reserve in mexico, 2003. Journal Of Maps, 2006, 181-190 Taylor, O.R. (Chip). 2014. Monarch Population Status. Monarch Watch.org. (July, 2014).

P SHO L A LOC 905-939-1076 7195 Hwy 9, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0

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Photo Nick Holmes

Dawn Langstroth: two careers...one life... by Sue Iaboni

U

Unlike many young people today who struggle with “what do I want to be when I grow up?” Dawn Langstroth’s career choices came with two strong recommendations – one from each of her wellknown parents.

Langstroth began her love of visual arts when she was very young, She says, “my dad taught me when I was itty bitty.” Her dad, music producer Bill Langstroth of CBC's Singalong Jubilee fame, always had paper and pencils in his hand. He had studied art at Mount Allison University and learned much of his skill from painter Alex Colville who taught there. Langstroth was happy to pass on what he knew to his daughter. One image that is clear in her mind happened when she was about seven years old and he offered to teach her how to draw an eye. She says she couldn’t stop drawing eyes and from then on she was hooked on art.

But she didn’t take art seriously back then, drawing instead from the talent of her mother, singer Anne Murray. Mother and daughter sang together often, and recorded a couple of songs on albums, including “Anne Murray Duets: Friends and Legends.” She also recorded an album of her own and two shorter EPs. Her voice is strong and melodious,

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described by others as “fresh and crisp as a mountain brook,” “like a shard of coloured glass,” “filled with fluid beauty.”

But the going was rough. Langstroth says: “Music is a tough business. Everybody has an album these days.” Being in a competitive field where her mom had already stolen the show presented roadblocks that were challenging. The desire for an identity of her own was strong. And on the side, her paintings began to generate interest. People wanted to buy them! A choice was made.

Langstroth’s painting style is unique, all quirky contours and curves. She says that realism was always her thing - until she got bored. She recalls her seminal moment - one particular Christmas where she was heading home and decided to rebel. No more Christmas trees, baking, presents, or stockings hung by the fire. But rather than disturbing the traditional family scene, she played her emotions out on canvas. Her first “official” painting showed the familiar Christmas living room, but now it was curved and swirly. The fireplace, the tree, the gifts were all still there, but with a different twist. She smilingly refers to the piece as a “Cubist Christmas.” Still, perhaps reluctant to let go of reality completely, she

put her dog Mikey in the corner.

Mikey continued to appear in future paintings, many of them focused on furniture. Langstroth’s next painting was “Hallway” and included much loved family chairs and other pieces. From there she broadened her architectural landscape to include doors and windows, cottages and houses around Nova Scotia. She began taking commissions from people who wanted a different perspective of their homes. She began to stylize Canadian icons too - a series on Tim Horton’s cups and donuts, Canadian Tire money, Muskoka chairs on the beach. A more recent favourite subject is cars: a Rolls Royce, a ‘49 Woody, a hearse from the 1980s, a Smart car, a Mini Cooper are all part of her repertoire. All of her cars are smiling, in her quirky style.

All in all, Dawn Langstroth appears to be pretty comfortable with her career choice. If you would like to see for yourself, visit her booth at the Schomberg Street Gallery on Sunday, September 14th. She will have her paintings for sale, as well as prints and art cards. M DawnLangstrothLaboratories.com

Letters Home from the Great War

by Sharon Bentley, Deputy CEO, KTPL

October 17, 1916, Witley Camp, England “Dear Sister, I was awful sorry to hear about Aubrey Marshall.

His parents will feel awful bad. And poor Mary, what will she do. I never thought Aubrey would get killed. I bet it was not from a bullet. Harold says if a fellow keeps his head level he will never get shot by a bullet. The entire King boys were sorry to hear about him.”

So begins a letter written by Sapper Norman “Earl” Campbell of King Township informing his sister of the death of a fellow King lad. Earl enlisted into the 127th Battalion of the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on Feb. 17, 1916 and shortly thereafter was sent overseas.

Between 1916 and 1919, Earl sent over 100 pieces of correspondence, including letters, postcards, and photographs, to his family in King. Through this correspondence, Earl captured the conditions of living in the trenches, the sights and sounds of constant bombings, and sadly, news of friends and comrades that were killed or injured. One hundred years later, on the anniversary of the start of the Great War (1914-1918), we must rely on the generosity of relatives of such soldiers for access to the written letters, diaries & memoirs that give us a unique first-hand account of the events of the war. King Township is fortunate that Earl’s family, first his sister Merelda, then Earl’s own children, had the foresight to preserve the precious correspondence between Earl and his family.

The soldier that Earl refers to in the letter was Private Aubrey Milton Marshall born on August 30, 1889 to Edward and Margaret Marshall of the village of Strange in King Township.

As a child, Aubrey attended public school in King and high school in Aurora. He continued his education at Victoria College, University of Toronto. Aubrey then enrolled in the Canadian Officers Training Corps (C.O.T.C) and on December 13, 1915, the 26 year old fair-haired,

blue eyed student, enlisted in the 5th Universities Company, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I). Aubrey was sent overseas in April 1916 and that June, he joined his Battalion in Flanders, shortly after the Battle of Sanctuary Wood. Three months later on September 15, 1916, on the first day of the FlersCourlette assault, Aubrey was killed in action.

The death of Aubrey weighed heavily on Earl’s mind, as on November 30, 1916 he wrote to his sister: “I had a letter from Mary Teasdale today telling me what Aubrey meant to her if he had not been killed.” In another letter dated March 26, 1917: “I wrote to Arch to tell Harold the place where he was last wounded is a very good cultivated farm. Aubrey Marshall fell there. I am going to have a look for his grave some of these days, 15 miles is not far to walk.” And finally seventeen months after Aubrey’s death, on April 21, 1918, Earl wrote home: “I have found a P.P.C.L.I. here that knew Aubrey Marshall real well. He was in his Coy. The 14 of Sept 1916 at Moque farm (Mouquet Farm) he lost track of Aubrey. This fellow’s home is in Sutton. He thought a lot of Aubrey and was surprised when I told him that he was killed the night the P.Pats went over the top of M.F. He thot that Aubrey had got to Canada.”

Earl Campbell was one of the lucky ones who survived the war and returned to Canada and his family in 1919. Aubrey was not as fortunate and is one of the over 11,000 Canadian soldiers honoured at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

King Township Public Library has digitized all of these letters, envelopes, photographs and postcards and has created a special webpage on the Library’s website to pay tribute to Earl and the other King Township soldiers who fought in the Great War. This special webpage commemorating a soldier’s experience of the Great War will be launched this fall on the Library’s website - kinglibrary.ca.

Pte. Aubrey Milton Marshall August 30, 1889 - September 15, 1916.

Relieve Joint Pain Protocol GMB AVAILABLE AT: Richvale Saddlery 7195 Hwy 9, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0

905-939-1076 www.richvalesaddlery.com fall 2014

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The

by Virginia Atkins

Time-Traveller’s Barn

ff a rural road south of Bradford and north in King there is a huge barn with black roofing and an elegant facade, painted a calm cream colour, set within 500 acres of cropland like a castle on an offshore island. When Alan Bray (of Bray’s Fuels) began serious collecting around 1960 and needed expansive room for the large items he would acquire, the barn became his. Renovated to Mr. Bray’s specs by a team of meticulous Mennonite craftsmen, the venerable barn is no longer dusty “old” but beautifully converted to showplace “new” furnished with a myriad of artifacts.

Approaching from the car park we see its signature “SUPERTEST” service pavilion attached to the barn at the front, supported at two corners by massive stone pillars, and decorated with striking orange and white antique gas pumps refinished to artistic perfection.The building exterior is impressive and unexpected out here in the midst of Ontario food land; the excitement is just beginning!

Entering the building we meet the welcoming fragrance of pine and a startling vision of an almost surreal world, a vast space furnished with thousands of colourful items of all shapes and sizes; we’re surrounded by the amazing collection of a super-collector – it’s dream-like. If only we could linger in this fairyland of shiny insignia from once-famous brands, now decorating the pine-panelled walls. Our eyes turn upward to the 27 ft. raftered ceiling.

Entranced, we move slowly along the avenue, a spotless floor, hand-crafted with 2”x6” planks laid with the narrow dimension facing up.

All around us - a restored Sliverwood’s Dairy truck, a ’gypsy’ van, and some early farm machinery - nearby are carts, tractors, clear glass cases containing hand-carved replicas of exquisite matched teams pulling show wagons, more tall gas pumps, and a genuine canopied Conestoga wagon guarded by a life-size wooden Indian. Bray’s versatile assistant, Lou Godard flips a switch to start a rotating miniature Ferris wheel lit with coloured lights, then shows us an alcove devoted to hockey and sporting notables.

We’re invited downstairs to see another vast thicket of thousands more memorabilia. Mr. Bray reckons casually that there may be at least 7 or 8 thousand items in his collection, maybe 10,000? We realize, gazing incredulously at the shelves in his replica country general store, it is a gathering of a whole era’s icons, mostly from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, a time-travel extravaganza. There are vol-

O

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Alan Bray with "Best Restored Vehicle" award from Steve Plunkett's Fleetwood Country Cruise In, June 2011, London, Ontario.

umes of photographs, pamphlets and booklets, archivalbound newspapers with fusty old typography advertising everyday items to the consuming public. We glance at the opened Eaton’s and Sears’ catalogues which offered huge inventories from coats and hats to furniture, kerosene cookers, sets of china and fancy electric lamps.

In the next section, an early hardware store replica displays farm implements, tools, cream-separators, an array of glass milk bottles, and cases of unopened bottled Coca Cola. There’s an ancient leather-bonneted buggy near a contemporary Shelby and vintage trucks painted silkysmooth blue and aquamarine with classy touches of gleaming metal, each an artistic perfection. Here are the actual items familiar to several generations of North Americans, evidence of what made our society tick – transportation, a growing variety of consumer goods, advertising with its entrepreneurial culture from sea to sea and border to border.

At the end of our tour we came to a large room with a high ceiling, built as an addition to the barn, sheltering choice samples of the collector's bliss, possibly his favourite items: two magnificent trucks, restored to glowing Supertest orange and elegant unblemished chrome.

Positioned nearby are several tall glass-topped gas pumps standing as regal guardians in this unique sanctuary, dedicated to North America's passion for wheels and petroleum.

Alan Bray began to collect interesting and rare items almost 50 years ago, his collection growing as his income allowed. He is recognized at North American auctions, known to purchase entire individual collections, sometimes without more than a phone call to say “I’ll take the lot!” Bray not only travelled cross-country to buy at the drop of a hammer but also has hosted many auctions in his spacious barn. If it were not for a collector like him, generously willing to share admiration for unique treasures, an important half-century of innovative American and Canadian commercial art-forms might have disappeared into a dumpster void. We salute Alan Bray as a creative ‘time traveller’ for assembling his extraordinary collection and consider him an Ontario heritage celebrity.

Editors’ note: If you would like to see this incredible collection, open only by appointment, join Arts Society King on our first-ever fundraiser Adventure Car Rally, Sunday October 19. For further details go to our website at ArtsSocietyKing.ca or call Jane at 905.939.9357

Discover King Campus A COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS Experience our natural surroundings of 282 hectares of woods, lake and fields.

Whether walking or hiking through the trails or enjoying a view of the lake, you’ll certainly find our inviting campus serene and picturesque. Our focus on health and wellness is key to helping build healthy lives – inside and out.

Find out about our range of programs that will help us build a better King community.

Get to know us. senecacollege.ca

Come and pick your own APPLES! Tydeman Red Macintosh Spartan Cortland Northern Spy Red Delicious

3105 16TH Sideroad, King City L7B 1A3 905.833.3434 countryapple.ca 22

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Aurora Rd. Sdrd 15

400

King Rd.

Major Mackenzie Dr. HWY 7

Dufferin St.

HWY 9

Sdrd 16 Weston Rd.

Bus tours, picnic area, farm store and coffee shop

Jane St.

Labour Day weekend until the end of October, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Keele St.

New varieties coming in season 2015!

Open House Monday, September 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Experience SAC Day Wednesday, October 22, 9:30am - 12:30pm

When he opens the door to St. Andrew’s College, he opens his mind to a world of possibilities. Since 1899 we have provided enriched academics, unparalleled athletics, and dynamic arts programs resulting in strong, independent and intelligent young men.

Five minutes could change his next 50 years. Check out our 5 minute video at www.sac.on.ca/video.

Your son. Our mission.

Ask about our enrolment incentive of $5,000 for grades 5 & 6.

fall 2014

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