Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 1
Caledon West
SouthFields
Village Voice Volume 2, Issue II September 2011 – November 2011 ISSN 1923-855X
Must see destinations Caledon Village
Community spirit The residual benefits of fundraisers
Age of sustainability Why seeing green is not enough
From Babar to painter Defining Lyn Westfall
Inside a gravel pit The other side of the story
page 2. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 3
DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Be sure to get your free* subscription of SouthFields Village Voice today. Subscribe online at www.southfieldsvillagevoice.com Send an email to subscribe_villagevoice@pras.ca or call 905.846.4852
Feature highlights Volume 2, Issue II | Autumn 2011
*Distributed free of charge throughout Caledon. Out of area annual subscription rate is $19.96 + HST.
Thank you to our contributors: Allan Thompson Barb Shaughnessy Carolyn Goldberg Chuck Mills Dan Pelton David Jobe David Tilson, MPP Donna Kamiel-Forster Dr. David Kirkham, DVM Freyda Tartak Heather Scavetta Jackie Thompson Jane Guy Jennifer Clark John Jeffery Holland Kelly Noble Kenneth Bokor Leigh Booth Kimberly Clark Lyn Westfall Mary Maw Mayor Marolyn Morrison Michele Skawski Olivier St.Hilaire Rosemarie Eger Stacey Fokas Stan Cameron Tim Forster Tom Cowan Copy editing: Mary-Anne Kennedy & Eleonora Tartakovsky Cover: Dixie, the terrier at The Top of The Hill, Cheltenham ISSN 1923-855X Published quarterly by PRAS Publishing thanks to the support of our advertisers. Be sure to mention you saw their ad here! The publication is distributed for free, throughout Caledon at the beginning of March, June, September and December. Content in articles and advertising are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine. It is the responsibility of those submitting content and photography to ensure that they have the legal right to use and distribute it. All content is the property of PRAS Publishing or the contributors and cannot be reproduced without written consent from the magazine. Contributions are welcome and encouraged. Send in your community updates, artwork, poetry, short stories, articles, and photographs by the first of the month prior to issue publication date. Advertising space is available.
For past issues visit: www.pras.ca follow us on Twitter @SFVillageVoice
Letters from council 8 SouthFields celebrates 2nd Community Day 10 Recipes 17 Forster’s Book Garden book reviews 20 Must see destination: Caledon Village 21 Beauty of shopping well: Caledon’s boutiques 29 2011 Treasure Tour 34 Age of sustainability and global revolution 39 View from inside a gravel pit 44 Defining Lyn Westfall 47 Geothermal solutions harnessing the sun 54 A morning at a standardbred farm 58 Headwaters Arts’s new youth scholarship 60
SouthFields Village Voice is your voice. Do you have something to share? Want to see your community group featured in an upcoming issue? Have a business that could use a bit more exposure ? Just let us know. Submit all inquiries to: 905.846.4852 or info@southfieldsvillagevoice.com
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519.927.3371
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page 4. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
From the editor’s desk... My dear readers, when we moved to Caledon I had a lot to learn, and I still do. I never cease to be surprised by all there is to discover and enjoy. There is always a chance encounter, a coincidental observation, or a deliberate destination that reminds me, once again, how much I love living here. In this, our sixth edition, we decided to focus on Caledon Village. Having spent the better part of the spring visiting and exploring the wonders of Chic à BOOM, chatting with Brian Thayer of Caledon Mountain Supply Wildlife, feasting at Village Bistro, and so on, I thought I knew it all, but it was just the tip of the iceberg. During le Tour de Terra Cotta, a truly inspiring example of some neighbours’ desire to fix up their Community Hall, I ran into Greg Sweetnam of the infamous James Dick Construction. This led to a day of exploring one of the most scenic and serene places in Caledon: The Caledon Village Gravel Pit!
SouthFields Village Voice had been wanting to do a feature on sustainability for some time but never imagined that we would hold up the dreaded gravel pits as a shining beacon of sustainable corporate activity. Caledon East had it’s share of surprises, too. Never would I have imagined that inside its relatively uninspiring exterior, sits a genuine Italian bakery, complete with an old-school Italian deli and hot counter. Was my family ever happy the first time I brought home a selection of desserts that would throw anybody off their diet. Speaking of delicious, the Alton Mill was, as always, a feast for the eyes and a perfect backdrop for a meeting with Wayne Baguley, a local realtor who specializes in country & farm estates and happens to be the president of Headwaters Arts. This fall, I’m looking forward to attending the Headwaters Peterson Ball, dancing the night away with the firefighters, and picking pumpkins at Downey’s! Maybe I’ll see you there, and if I do, be sure to say hello! Regards,
Yevgenia Casale
Letters to the editor Re: 2nd Annual Community Day
Yevgenia this is wonderful news. Peace Ranch is such a worthwhile charity to support and I thank your whole team of volunteers for their dedication to the community. It is a pleasure having you all with us in Caledon. Best regards Marolyn Morrison, Mayor Town of Caledon Re: Mention in spring issue
I don’t know just when the current issue of Southfields Village Voice actually arrived at my home, but I have only just had the pleasure of reading it. I can not thank you enough for mentioning my business a few times throughout the issue! You really do focus on this, my community. As a 25 year resident of Cheltenham, I am proud to have been involved with many of the families, and projects mentioned in your articles. The Cheltenham General Store seasonally carries my products, I personally know many of the people featured in various articles,
and am proud to say I was involved in organizing the first Cheltenham Day - a group of “Moms” effort to pay for park equipment for our little ones. I am sure that plans for your next issue are well under way. I would like to enquire about the costs of advertising. I generally steer away from advertising, as I seldom have any success from it, but your publication hits so close to home, and you have been so supportive of me, that I would like to see if I can find it in my budget to let my local population know some of the wonderful, different, and unique things I can do for them in the fall and holiday seasons. Regards, Shelly Silk, Shelly’s Chocolate & Gifts 905 877-5055 [Editor’s note: Shelly generously supplied treats for the Caledon Butterfly Gala. We regret not listing Shelly’s phone number in the summer issue of SouthFields Village Voice. For excellent custom chocolates, we highly recommend Shelly!]
Re: Defining house insurance
A very good article was penned by William Liske on page 30 and 31 of the June to August 2011 publication, with one exception... Under the part labelled “Home Insurance” Mr. Liske states “This insurance provides coverage for you in case your home is damaged by fire or flood.” In Canada you cannot purchase coverage for flood insurance on a personal dwelling. You can purchase sewer or septic back up, but not flood coverage. The old adage applies, the big print giveth and the small print taketh away. You have an excellent publication. Brian Waddell, Waddell Insurance Brokers Limited Congratulations! Great article on Terra Cotta and the mag is looking great also. Well done! Keith Thoy Correction notice: The correct phone number for Abbeyfield is 905.860.0181. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 5
Art classes, nearby Saturday Morning Art Club is a unique opportunity for kids with a talent and passion for visual art to learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting.
Saturday Morning Art Club
Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting for kids age 7 to 12
This pilot project is intended to be the first of a series of locally held courses designed to provide material for students thinking of preparing a portfolio for high school art programs. The initiative is a SouthFields Village Voice project developed to bring solid, fun, and affordable art instruction within a seven minute drive of SouthFields, Valleywood, and our surrounding communities. Participants will enjoy learning the skills required to construct their portfolios at a comfortable and relaxed pace, designed for their skill level, and will be taught by the some of the area’s finest artists and educators.
Dates: Sept. 24 - Dec. 17
The winter session will be held in the art room of Herb Campbell Public School on Saturdays from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Sept. 24 to Dec. 17 excluding school holidays and long weekends.
Fee: $260 (supplies incl.)
Space is limited, so register early. Registration is available online or by calling 905.846.4852.
Time: 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Location: Art Room, Herb Campbell Public School (east of Kennedy Rd. on King St.)
Register online or by phone before Sept. 19
p: 905.846.4852 e: info@southfieldsvillagevoice.com w: southfieldsvillagevoice.com
page 6. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Meeting schedule: Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011 Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012 Thursday, Jun. 7, 2012
SouthFields village update a word from Kenneth Bokor Dear Village of SouthFields resident, Here’s hoping you are having a great summer! For those of you new to our Community, hello and welcome! I may sound like a broken record, but the Village continues to see a fast pace of residential growth. I estimate that by the end of this year, over 400 homes should be occupied. As Chair of our Residents Association, I am very pleased to see the continued support and turnout for our quarterly meetings and the fantastic turnout for the 2nd Annual Social Day. To bring you all up to date, here are some items of interest that we will discuss further at our next RA Meeting: • Zoning Applications – More lands were purchased from the Livingstons. The rezoning application for these will be dealt with in late fall, impacting the eastern boundary of the Village, next to Broadway Farms’ property. • Phase 1 of (new) Kennedy Road Diversion – The southern section of the Kennedy Road diversion has been opened in mid August. This is phase one of the diversion. The northern section will start this fall with a late fall or early winter finish. Take extra care when coming northbound from Mayfield Road. There is a 3-way stop at Abbottside Way and New Kennedy
Road. This will be a highly-sensitive area so take extra caution there, as well as at Larson Peak. Stop signs protect our residents by slowing down northbound and southbound traffic and you need to stop! • Public Elementary School – The school on Learmont is well underway and should be ready for kids Sept 2012. • Stormwater Ponds – Both of our two ponds were emptied for maintenance. I believe the work is finished and they are already starting to fill up. • Park updates – Neighbourhood Park at Learmont and Benadir/ Losino is under construction. Should be completed by September. As with all construction elements, please stay away while work is happening. The Community Park at Larson Peak and Learmont is slated to have construction started next spring (2012) with completion in September. There will be soccer fields/multi-use fields, splash pad, change rooms/washrooms, playgrounds and a basketball court and limited parking. This Park will not be offered for rent by the town, so no outside soccer or other leagues will be able to book this space. It is meant for our community to use. Watch for construction fencing that will be going up soon around this future park. • Phase 3 Community Park – Planning is underway for this park. It will have a baseball diamond, play structures and basketball/ice skating pad. More info on this at our December RA meeting. • Community Entrance Marker – Is nearing completion at the corner of
Duane Sonntag Phone: 905.846.6880 Cell: 416.688.7662 Painting done right for over 20 years.
Location: Margaret Dunn Valleywood Caledon Public Library
(20 Snelcrest Dr., off Valleywood Dr.)
Time: 7:00 p.m. Abbottside Way and (new) Kennedy Road. More info will follow on this. • The Downtown Core - Have your voice heard on what sorts of businesses and services you would like to see there. Be sure to let us and the town know what you would like to see going in. Email us your thoughts. • Vandalism & Dumping – Please take notice. If anyone is doing something that they should not, like vandalism or dumping of garbage - contact the OPP. Also, please refrain from using the mailboxes as sign boards. Postings will be removed. The Town has told me that some vandals snapped a few new trees along New Kennedy Road. These have been replaced but it is sad that they were broken in the first place. Also dumping is going on in our parks. That’s it for now. For more, join us at the next RA Meeting on Thurs., Sept. 8th, 7 p.m. start, at the Margaret Dunn library branch in Valleywood. Also, in case you have not heard, I am producing quarterly RA Audio podcasts available in iTunes (search for “vosfracaledon”), so please subscribe – it’s free. This is a great way to stay upto-date if you can’t make our meetings. Thanks for your continued support. Regards,
Kenneth Bokor
Chairman and Co-founder, VoSFRA
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Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 7
Honorable mentions David Tilson, M.P.’s message Dear Constituents, Fall is upon us and we are now returning from summer vacations to routines and schedules. I hope you and your loved ones had a terrific summer and were able to enjoy some of the many outstanding events, festivals, and activities offered right here in DufferinCaledon. I had the pleasure of participating in many of these celebrations that make our community such an outstanding place to live and work. Our Government worked hard to ensure that Canada’s economic recovery remained on track before the House of Commons recessed for the summer. Prime Minister Stephen Harper convened Parliament on June 2nd, following the May 2nd General Election. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, quickly introduced Budget 2011 on June 6th, which passed in the House of Commons and the Senate in late June. Budget 2011 - the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is a low-tax plan for jobs and growth, as that is what Canadians asked for and our Government committed to delivering. It builds on the growth achieved in Canada’s Economic Action Plan and will complete Canada’s recovery from the global economic downturn. We know there is still more work to do and that the global recovery remains fragile. Therefore, to ensure our recovery is complete, the Next Phase focuses on four key areas: supporting job creation; supporting families and communities; investing in innovation, education, and training; and preserving Canada’s fiscal advantage. Key parts of the Plan include: - Supporting Job Creation: a new Hiring Credit for Small Business to support local job growth, supporting Ontario’s manufacturing sector by extending tax relief for investments in new equipment and machinery and an expanded work sharing program. - Strengthening our Families and Communities: up to $5,000 grants for Ontario families to make their homes more energy efficient; up to $840 in new annual financial support for seniors who may be at risk of experiencing financial difficulties; a new Family Caregivers Tax Credit; a new Childrens’ Arts Tax Credit; a new $3,000
Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit; and the waiving of license renewal fees for hunters and firearm owners. - Investing in the Economy of Tomorrow: increased support for research and technology, improved federal student loans program for Ontario students, and more. - Preserving Canada’s Fiscal Advantage: keeping Canada on track for balanced budgets by eliminating ineffective spending growth and closing unfair tax loopholes. Budget 2011 is a positive plan to create jobs and to promote economic growth across Canada. It looks to the future, while recognizing the priorities of all Canadians today. Our Government is preparing for a busy fall session that focuses on job creation and completing the economic recovery. We will continue to deliver on the priorities of all Canadians, just as we have always done. I encourage you to contact me on any Federal matters by e-mail at david.tilson. c1a@parl.gc.ca or by telephone at 905-857-6080. I wish you a wonderful fall!
page 8. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Letters to our readers Mayor Marolyn Morrison’s message This past April, the Town released its 2011 Environmental Action Report. This was the final series of reporting documents on the implementation status of the Town’s Environmental Progress Action Plan. This Plan was initially endorsed in June 2005 to further the Town’s commitment to preserving and enhancing Caledon’s environment. It was produced with extensive consultation which led to the development of seven environmental priority areas: air quality, climate change, energy, a green economy, environmental awareness, sustainable planning, and community capacity. The 2011 Environmental Action Report builds on the 2007 and 2009 Action Reports by highlighting the Town’s most recent environmental achievements and where possible summarizes results from 2005 to present. It also guides the Town towards taking the next step-a journey towards sustainability. This will be addressed through
the completion of a corporate sustainability plan. While sustainability can be a difficult term to understand, the Town’s 2010 Official Plan document provides this broad definition: “the wise use of available resources to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Some notable successes from the Environmental Action Report include Public Works’ ongoing efforts to reduce the Town’s greenhouse gas emissions. These include the expansion of biodiesel usage and actions to reduce the amount of new aggregate used in road construction. The Report also references the Town’s most recent climate change initiative-the development of a Caledon Community Climate Change Action Plan. (For more information on this initiative, please visit www.caledonclimateplan.ca). Additional initiatives are the Town’s Green Development Program; Council’s endorsement of a Corporate Energy Management Plan; support for 32 community environmental projects through the disbursement of close to
$100,000 in Community Green Fund grants; new sustainability and related polices incorporated into the Town’s Official Plan; the launch of a Caledon Farmers’ Market and a solar wall installation at the Mayfield Recreation Complex. Greening Town Hall-a new environmental priority area was added in the 2009 Report to demonstrate the Town’s efforts in “walking the talk”. These include the continued use of Canadian made, Forest Stewardship Council certified paper which contains 100% post consumer fibre; continued reliance on providing website links rather than photocopying material and the Town’s recent receipt of a Smart Commute Brampton-Caledon Employer of the Year Award. In keeping with the environmental nature of the document, Town staff encourage the community to view the 2011 Environmental Action Report online at www.caledon.ca. A limited number of print copies will also be available through the Caledon Public Library branches and at the large recreational facilities.
Marolyn Morrison Mayor of the Town of Caledon
from Allan Thompson’s desk By the time you get this issue in your hands, fall will be upon us. But as I write this, summer is half over. The park is currently under construction in SouthFields Village, our newest west Caledon community. This year’s unseasonably wet spring caused many delays, including construction of this park, which we are hoping will be completed very soon so that the young families, new to Caledon, can enjoy it. On October 6, 2011 for the third time in the last year, we again head to the polls, this time for a provincial election. Candidates in this election will be knocking on your doors and this is an excellent opportunity to ask them some hard questions.
What kinds of questions? Questions about how their party plans to help our Caledon and Peel residents get their fair share? In the last couple of decades each the provincial and federal governments have been downloading the responsibility and financial costs for services they have been traditionally responsible for providing onto the level of government below them. While this has helped them with their budgets, this has created additional burdens on you, our taxpayers, because the responsibilities have been moved to the municipality—and not always with the corresponding funding to do so. Through this downloading our municipal partners have accepted the responsibility for immigration, social housing and childcare, to name a few. Combine that with the loss
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 9
of the gas tax revenue, it means that municipalities have more costs and less money to handle the services for which we are mandated, such as roads, bridges and parks. This needs to be dealt with and in an effort to create awareness for these challenges the Region of Peel has developed a website uniquely focused on these challenges: Peel Asks Why (www.PeelAsksWhy.ca). Be sure to check it out, because these are important issues and conversations to have to ensure that the next provincial government doesn’t tighten their purse strings with the expectation that even more services will be handled from our municipal property tax revenues as opposed to the income tax side. I invite you to check this website out, to engage with our Region on these issues and particularly with the candidates this fall.
Our Cheltenham, Terra Cotta and SouthFields Village communities all have very successful community events this past summer, providing some great opportunities for our families and community partners to come together. Here is hoping you and your family had a safe and fun-filled summer. There are lots to see and do in our town this fall and be sure to check out our Brampton and Bolton Fall Fairs in Caledon this September. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact me. Respectfully submitted,
Allan Thompson Regional Councillor Ward 2
For more click “Coming Events” at www.allanforcaledon.ca
from Stan Cameron’s desk The summer is over. The “Back-ToSchool” sales are done. Anticipation, on the part of children and parents about how they can make this the best school year, is once again part of the family dinner discussion. As the new public school board trustee for Caledon I enjoyed meeting students, parents, families, teachers, and all the school staff, as I toured 19 schools in the first 7 months of office. Visiting schools, attending parent council meetings, award assemblies, and graduation celebrations offered first hand learning experiences. I was very grateful for each tour I received. This was my choice for Professional Development and it has helped me to help others in our community who were in need of information about wonderful school programs, people and places of teaching and learning. It’s a very exciting time for our Caledon area schools as we get ready for our first schools to offer full day Kindergarten. Macville P.S. is all set to open its doors for the full day Kindergarten Program in
September, 2011. Creditview P.S. and Ellwood Memorial P.S. will offer full day Kindergarten in their schools in September, 2012. Many other public schools in Caledon will be offering the full day Kindergarten program in 2013, and in subsequent years. The newly built James Grieve P.S. (grades K-8), on Bramalea Rd. just north of Mayfield Rd. will open its doors for operation in September, 2011. The K-8 Mayfield West P.S. (school name yet to be determined) is well under construction and will open for occupancy in September,
2012. Have you driven by Herb Campbell P.S. during the latter part of this summer? Construction of the new bus turnaround and staff/ visitors parking lot is expected to be completed by school start up. These are many new physical resources for our area. But it’s our Caledon area families and their resourcefulness that will continue to contribute to student success... every step of the way. Sincerely,
Stan Cameron, Public School
Trustee for Peel District School Board
page 10. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Second annual Village of SouthFields Community Day raises $500 for Peace Ranch by Yevgenia Casale and Jackie Thompson On July 16th, 2011 the Village of SouthFields hosted its second annual Community Day. This time, SouthFields Village Voice engaged the Residents Association and had a team of twelve volunteers helping plan, organize, and run the event.
Once again, we had a tremendous turn-out, with approximately 400 people coming out to enjoy the food, games, vendor market, and each other. As with all of our events, we wanted to go beyond the needs of SouthFields. Part of who we are as a village within
Caledon is defined by our desire to live with the sort of Community Spirit that defines our neighbouring villages and hamlets within the town. One of our goals, even in the early stages of planning, was to have a fundraising component for a
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 11
local non-profit group. Kenneth Bokor suggested Peace Ranch based on a recent article in the Caledon Enterprise. Our team unanimously agreed to support this wonderful organization.
pay-what-you-want-to approach. Our neighbours did not disappoint. Once again, our community day raised $500, which we look forward to presenting to Peace Ranch during their upcoming Open House on September 11.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors (Monarch; Coscorp; Broadway Farm’s Market; M&M Meat Shops; Sobey’s; Legacy Home Solutions; ecoCaledon; Tim Hortons; Salisbury Garden Supplies; Escarpment Escapes; and Glen Echo Nurseries & Landscaping) and proceeds from the vendor table sales, we were able to cover all of our expenses and therefore able to donate 100% of the food proceeds to Peace Ranch.
Nestled comfortably in the hills of Caledon, Peace Ranch offers supportive housing and rehabilitative programs for up to 10 adults with serious mental illness, primarily schizophrenia. Their clients work toward wellness and recovery on a serene 25 acre farm.
Rather than selling the food, we opted for a
As you turn onto the driveway of Peace Ranch you are immediately welcomed by wide expansive lawns and gardens. There is no question that this is a well-cared for place. The breathtaking rural setting provides
a unique backdrop to a quality housing program that is like no other in the province. Stress is naturally reduced in this peaceful and tranquil environment. Peace Ranch was founded in 1990 by members of the Brampton chapter of the Friends of Schizophrenics. It is funded in part by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and has received money from the United Way and through private donation. They have also recently introduced the Peace Ranch Market Garden. While there is currently no known cure for schizophrenia, most people respond well to drug therapy and many are able to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Peace Ranch applies psychosocial rehabilitation principles to enable Cont’d on next page...
page 12. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011 ... Cont’d from previous page.
Heidi, the Garden Coordinator
adults with schizophrenia to live and work in a community atmosphere and to move toward recovery. Their core belief is that through offering hope, empowerment, choice and responsibility, all people with mental health problems can define and find meaning and purpose in their lives.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling disease of the brain affecting approximately 1.5% of the population. Symptoms often include hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. Their speech and behaviour can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others.
independent living. Eric TrippMcKay, appointed Executive Director in September of 2003, summed it up this way: “Peace Ranch is about transforming lives and allowing people to find hope and embrace the resilience that lies within them.” From its inception, the facility has incorporated horticulture, animal husbandry, fitness, art and music as important social rehabilitation tools in promoting wellness. The green spaces are thoroughly integrated into each client’s journey to recovery. Once a week a programme called Rosie’s Kitchen, named after their beloved pot-bellied pig, provides the opportunity to get out and socialize with people who live in the community. Participants prepare and share a nutritious meal using produce from their own gardens.
Staff experience tremendous pride when participants achieve independence and move into
The Peace Ranch Market Garden offers paid part-time seasonal work for people living in the community who may not otherwise
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be able to find meaningful employment due to their mental health. The initiative educates employees about farming and horticulture, giving them both valuable life and employment skills. The Market Garden grows pesticidefree vegetables. Members of the broader community of Caledon are able to purchase $100 credit and redeem it for produce and flowers from the market. When the credit is used it can be reloaded for further redemption. The garden programme educates clients on the role that food and good nutrition play in maintaining good mental health. It also promotes physical exercise and personal achievement through goal setting and the celebration of both personal and collective accomplishments. SouthFields is proud to have been able to play a small role in the continuing success of Peace Ranch and we thank everybody for making the second Community Day even better than the first. Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 12, 2012 for our third annual event. To volunteer for next year’s event contact: info@southfieldsvillagevoice.com. For more on the Market Garden or for other inquiries contact heidi@peaceranch.com or call 905-584-9156 x27.
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page 14. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Herb Campbell instilling hands-on ecoValues by Olivier St-Hilaire & Kimberly Clark
O
n King Street, East of Highway 10, a Caledon Heritage signs read “Campbell’s Cross Settled 1831”. In this historical settlement stands Herb Campbell P.S. which, in October 2010 celebrated its 50th year as a collaborative learning community of students, staff, and families. In recent years, our learning community has worked as members of our Environmental Council on numerous action projects including our Herb Campbell Community Garden. Herb Campbell Public School is a collaborative learning community steeped in Caledon history and is actively contributing to the future through environmental actions. On our 9 acre site, the community garden incorporates several greening projects including; native species plantings, natural habitat preservation,
and an outdoor classroom all of which are used for curriculum-integrated environmental education. In June 2011, our Herb Campbell “Discover Wildlife Near You” field guide was published featuring photos, illustrations, creative writing, and information contributed by our learning community. Our field guide represents 56 locally-observed wildlife species and copies are available at all Caledon Public Libraries and at our school. In the 2011-2012 school year we will participate in the “Streams of Dreams” project with the Credit Valley Conservation Authority. This will support learning about and preservation of our local watershed including
our on-site natural wetland. For this project, our Environmental Council needs community volunteers to help cut wooden fish shapes to be painted by students and assembled as a large mural on the fence protecting our wetland. For more visit Credit Valley Authority (www.creditvalleyca.ca/ learn-and-get-involved/education/ school-programs/stream-ofdreams/) & HC Environmental Council (myclass.peelschools. org/ele/NA/6732/Default. aspx). To volunteer contact communitygardenhc@gmail.com
Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies Wild Birdseed / Feeders / Nesting Boxes Pet Food & Supplies / Wildlife Feeds Crafts / Books / Nature Accessories “We’re here to help you help nature” 18371 Hurontario St., Caledon Village phone: 519.927.3212 fax: 519.927.9186
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 15
Stay healthy. Buy local. Taste the difference. Most chefs will tell you that forming a relationship with your food supplier is as important as forming a relationship with your doctor. There is a certain element of trust required when leaving our health in the hands of strangers. Janine, of Broadway Farm’s Market, says “we have been fortunate to establish strong connections with the growers and producers of the products we offer our customers. Over the past 10 years of business we have had the opportunity to meet many of Ontario’s finest farmers. We are especially proud of the relationship we have with Paul, who supplies us with our fresh turkeys from his Mennonite farm.” Broadway carries turkeys grown at a slower, natural rate, which allows for a more intense taste and flavour and less fat. The birds are raised in the Mennonite tradition to reach the perfect size before each holiday season.
When purchasing a fresh turkey, Janine recommends looking for fresh killed, air chilled birds from local farms. Be forewarned that “fresh” means that the turkey has never been frozen. It does not mean that it has not been stored for several weeks at a very cold temperature, resulting in a more pliable surface but a dry tasting meat. Buying the right turkey is not enough. Janine recommends that before roasting, the bird should always be brought to room temperature. Its cavity should be rinsed with cold water and the outside of the bird should be wiped with a damp cloth. Next, preheat oven on 450°F, stuff or season the inside of the bird per your taste, brush its skin with melted butter, and season with kosher salt and pepper. Su Place the uncovered turkey in the oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature
to 350°F and roast until its internal temperature reaches 160°F. Remember to baste frequently with the pan drippings. When ready, take the turkey out of the oven and tent it with foil for 30 minutes to allow juices to set. Be careful not to overcook as this will dry out the meat. Keep in mind that one of the most common mistakes that people make is cutting into the meat too early. Maximum cooking time for a 25 to 30 lb turkey is 3 ½ hours. Allow a little longer if it is stuffed. To avoid disappointment, it is highly recommended that you reserve your fresh Thanksgiving turkey as they tend to be a quick seller.
Win a ca
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bmit a ph o a chance to to of your festive din ner (turke win a prep y Season, co ared holiday meal ’s are optional) for during the urtesy of B C roadway F Drop off a arms Mark hristmas photo and e t! your conta at Broad c info@so way Farms or email t details entries to uthfield : svillage voice.c Contest en o m try d Friday, Novem eadline: ber 4th , 2011
page 16. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
It’s easy to September is the 4th annual Eat Local Month in Caledon, an initiative dedicated to celebrating, supporting and strengthening Caledon’s local food and farming system. Grand Opening Albion Hills Community Farm -16555 Humber Station Rd., Caledon. Sat., Sept. 10, 1:00-4:00pm
this fall Cook Like A Local Chef Event, Cooking Local: Italian Style, featuring Chef Warren Gelinas of Village Bistro Palgrave Community Kitchen, 34 Pine Ave. Thurs., Sept. 15, 11am-2pm
A hands-on cooking class demystifying the art of a perfect risotto. Class is
Tour the farm and celebrate its first season in official production! Fun for the whole family, with a corn maze, potato sack races, giant pumpkin weight-guessing, tastings, cooking demos & more!
$35 per person. Register via email at eatlocal@eatlocalcaledon.org. Seven-Day Eat Local Challenge Fri., Sept. 16 – Thurs., Sept. 22
Register and use the Scorecard to keep track of how many of your week’s meals include local food, then submit it to Eat Local Caledon for a chance to win a dinner at a local restaurant. Caledon Crunch Fri., Sept. 30, 11am
Students across Caledon will crunch apples grown at Caledon orchards. The Crunch will be counted down on Radio Caledon (Bolton 105.5 FM). Listen live at www.radiocaledon.com. Thanksgiving Festival at Inglewood Farmers’ Market - 15596 McLaughlin Rd. Wed., Oct. 5, 3:30-7:00pm
Find lots of ingredients and ideas for the upcoming weekend’s feast! Live music, BBQ, and Thanksgiving table centers at the craft table. Call the Inglewood General Store at (905) 838-4386 to place an order for Ontario, free-range turkeys. “The secret to a great risotto is not the complexity of the recipe. It’s just simple, good ingredients and a little patience,” says Chef Warren Gelinas. Salsa Canning Bee, Palgrave Community Kitchen - 34 Pine Ave., Sun., Sept. 11, 1:30-5:00pm
Learn to make and preserve local tomato salsa in a fun group setting. Novices and experienced canners both welcome. Take home 6 jars of salsa at the end. Cost is $35 per person. Space is limited so register early. Harvest Festival at Inglewood Farmers’ Market - 15596 McLaughlin Rd., Inglewood. Wed., Sept. 14, 3:30-7:00pm
Learn how to preserve the bounty of the season through canning and preserving demos, tips and recipes. Live music, BBQ, kids’ crafts & more!
To register, view event listings & participating businesses, and more details, visit www.eatlocalcaledon.org or contact (905) 584-6221 or eatlocal@ eatlocalcaledon.org.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 17
Rosemary roasted leg of lamb with purple plums and chive flowers by Stacey Fokas Serves a family of 4-6 1. Wash the leg of lamb well with Prep time: 15 minutes. vinegar, salt and water. This will Cooking time: Approx. 3-4 hours make the lamb taste really nice. 2. Rinse and put into the pan. Sprinkle with Tools: 1 large roasting pan, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly ground 1 large pot for potatoes pepper, and rub all over. Pinch your thyme Tips: The purpose of using apart and lay it under and on top of the leg. vinegar is to improve the 3. Drizzle with sunflower oil and pour the wine taste of the lamb. You will be around the leg—do not pour on top of it. pleasantly surprised if you have not used this technique before. 4. Bake uncovered until the skin is seared, for about ½ hour at 400ºF. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Reduce temperature to 375ºF. 5. Cover with foil and bake for another 3 hours Ingredients at least, depending on how your oven cooks. 1 large leg of lamb 6. Add your plums for the final 30 minutes. ¼ cup of white vinegar sprinkle garlic powder 7. About 1 hour before the lamb is cooked, sprinkle sea salt add your peeled potatoes to salted boiling sprinkle ground pepper water. Boil until desired tenderness and then 2 sprigs thyme fresh mash adding the soya, oil and sea salt. Add drizzle of sunflower oil the chive flowers just before serving. 1 bottle of white wine 8. Check to make sure that the meat looks 6-12 red plums (skin on) soft and will come off the bone easily. 3-4 purple chive flowers When the meat comes away from the 6 large peeled potatoes leg it is a very good sign it is done! sea salt to taste 9. Use the drippings to make spectacular sauce! ¼ cup plain soya milk 10. This is a perfect spring dish served with mashed ¼ cup sunflower oil potatoes topped with fresh purple chive flowers.
For more ideas on cooking with locally grown food check out Stacey’s book “Freshalicious,” now in its 2nd printing and available at Forster’s Book Garden, Broadway Farm Markets and numerous other locations around town.
Halloween apple spice cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese icing by Jackie Thompson 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 cup butter, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 large eggs, room temperature 3/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low, add applesauce and then the flour mixture. Beat until just combined. Divide batter evenly among the lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the tops spring back when touched. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before removing. Store in an airtight container. Can be frozen up to 2 months.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting 1/2 package (4 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature 1/8 cup butter, room temperature 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 3/4 tsp vanilla extract 1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional) Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and confectioners’ sugar until smooth; beat in vanilla and cinnamon. Top each cupcake with frosting using a knife, spatula or piping bag. Cupcakes can be dressed up for Halloween using a variety of chocolate, colored sprinkles, candies, caramel, and cookies. Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated up to 3 days in an airtight container; bring to room temperature before serving. Makes 12 cupcakes
page 18. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
It’s never too late to learn by Leigh Booth Whether you are young or old, it is never too late or too soon to learn how to bike. Kids have a tendency to pick up the transition from the two foot method of transport to two wheeled motion relatively quickly and the crashes that occur along the way are soon forgotten. Adults on the other hand, are a little more tentative when it comes to the potential of falling off the bike and hurting themselves. Actually, if adults were not so concerned about falling, they probably wouldn’t fall as much.
Many couples enjoy cycling as a great way to stay connected
There are many aspects to learning how to bike but it is the basics that are a must to get you over the “hump” in your goal to be a better rider. It does not matter the type of biking you want to do. First and foremost, figure out the balance part of the program. Without balance, you don’t have anything. That being said, once you have mastered the first step in biking (balance), the enjoyment and freedom takes over. It’s like watching a parent with a child in their first attempt to teach them to ride a bike without training wheels; the parent is carefully holding their child’s bike by the seat running behind them keeping them upright, encouraging them, and then, letting their child go. At first the child is not aware that nobody is holding them quasi straight and continue awkwardly wobbling down the driveway, wide eyed with the combination of fear and excitement. At some point the realization that they are doing this great and wonderful thing on their own happens and then one of two things occur; they freak out and fall or they realize that they are doing this on their own and keep going, creating what is often a child’s first sensation of real freedom and a new starting point, for the rest of their life. Don’t be afraid, learn to bike. It’s a great way to feel young! Leigh Booth is President of the Caledon Cycling Club
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 19
Daring for more by Kelly Noble
F
ive months ago I came up with a business idea and then shelved it. My conclusion: it’s not right for right now. But today, as I pen this article, I contemplate: when will it be right? Will I wait like so many other moms until the nest empties or until an illusory future when I’ll have more time and energy? Or worse, will it remain on the shelf to serve a lifetime of regret for a missed opportunity? Business ownership has never been a goal. However, this idea, this gift, stirred a yearning within my heart and soul to contribute to something greater and do it from a place of passion and inspired action. How can I say no to this? At the same time, do I dare pursue something more right now? When I was a kid time passed slowly. I’m nostalgic for that carefree pace. Now, life is busy. Between work and commuting, I’m gone twelve hours a day. I’m racing through my life
just trying to stay ahead. My husband is my partner in the truest sense of the word and without him life would be chaos. Even still, I rush home to be with my family, inhale dinner, battle to finish homework, squeeze in some “quality” connections and finally the bedtime routine begins. Sometime after, if I’m not crashed asleep in one of the kids’ beds, I might have time for something more. Well that’s the lie I’ve conditioned myself to accept. Time is a concept. We can’t buy it, stock up on it or steal it. Yet most of us feel like we don’t have enough or say we ran out. Right now I’m racing against the clock to finish this article. Truth is, I’ve been so worried about “finding time” to work on it that I became stuck— unable to write. It’s a pattern of behaviour that’s easy to repeat in every area of our lives. Take a moment and think about it. How often have you
avoided doing the tasks that are the most challenging or taxing to complete? From what I’ve experienced, the longer we sit immobilized, the harder it is to leap in. When I was nine or ten my siblings and I were playing a daredevil game of tag on the garage roof. Someone upped the ante and proposed we jump off into a mound of snow. The distance between the snow and the roof was probably five feet, but from the roof it looked like fifty. Everyone jumped. I froze. Emotions flooded as I teetered on the edge, torn between wanting to jump and terrified of doing it. Eventually everyone left. My desire and need to jump was so compelling that it didn’t occur to me to climb down. I shivered and cried for an
eternity and as time wore on my self-loathing amplified. Surprisingly, here I am again, perched on the edge of uncertainty; wanting to jump into a business but hesitant and worrisome of the outcome. The doubt and fear stir up again, however this time there will be no tears. If I learned anything from that day on the roof, it was this: Surrender and take a leap of faith. As my feet hit the snow that cold spring afternoon, I welled up with pride and thought “Hey, it wasn’t so bad. What was I so afraid of?” I asked that question of myself again today and came to a new conclusion. The right time is right now. I don’t need to worry about how I will do it. All I need to do right now is leap off the edge and say yes. YES.
Great memories start with the right gear & good advice. and Nordic Centre 15640 McLaughlin Road Inglewood, Ontario
905.838.1698
www.caledonhillscycling.com Mountain bikes Road bikes ● Nordic equipment ● Accessories ● Clothing room ● Quality vehicle sport racks ● Nordic skis and snowshoes ● Full bicycle service ● Alpine, Nordic, snowboard service ● Gear available in ladies, mens and kids sizes and styles ● ●
Father and son team John & John just before the big race at the 2011 Tour de la Terra Cotta.
◊ road ◊ mountain ◊ service ◊ camping ◊ running ◊
page 20. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Fresh from the Book Garden by Donna Kamiel-Forster Second Coming by John Niven “God’s Coming! - Look Busy!” God had taken a holiday for the past 400 years and comes home to find that since 1609 Earth has been subjected to genocide, world wars, ecological collapse and mankind has interpreted God’s words (“just be nice!”) to suit his/her political/religious purposes. He had left His only son in charge, and since he didn’t do the job properly the first time is being sending him back to make it right. Jesus goes back as a guitar player with a band of other quirky characters and decides that the best way to get His word out is to enter and win American Pop Star, a reality show very much like American Idol. This is Niven’s satirical look at our modern culture’s obsession with celebrities and reality TV. Niven’s obvious contempt for organized religion blazes through the satiric pages as Jesus tries to spread the word that all God wanted for us was to “be nice!” The main theme seems to be that religion doesn’t corrupt man, but man corrupts religion. If you’re not offended, it’s a very funny look at mankind and our progress, religion, cultural differences and “democracy.”
girls at age 20 and boys at age 25. As the older generation dies off, children and young adults are left to fend for themselves. Underprivileged girls are “harvested” by Gatherers to become child brides for privileged young men. Sixteen year-old Rhine Ellery, finds herself in the back of a van full of young girls. She and two others are “chosen”. The rest are killed. Rhine, Cicely and Jenna are transported to a mansion where they are to live out the rest of their lives as sister wives to young Governor Linden Ashby Rhine longs for her old life, surviving with her brother on the streets of New York. Most of her thoughts are of escape. Jenna is 19, quiet, cold and observant. Cicely, brought up in an orphanage, is thirteen, rude, demanding, petulant and the only one of the three to embrace this life. To Rhine’s confusion, Linden is kind and deeply in love with his wife, who is now twenty and dying. The three girls were kidnapped and brought
to him to replace her. As the story progresses they become very close and their relationship becomes a central theme. Rhine pretends to love Linden, all the while trying to stay on the good side of the servants and Linden’s father, Housemaster Vaughn. Vaughn is a doctor, obsessed with finding a cure for this virus before his son succumbs. He is Rhine’s biggest threat in the household as he sees right through her, knowing that she is not truly happy to be there. In the mean time, she befriends, and perhaps falls in love with Gabriel, a young servant with whom she shares her plans of escape. This is the first book of what will be a trilogy. It is definitely for young adults not younger readers, as it includes violence, immature marriage, young pregnancy, death and other disturbing themes. However, it is well-written, with well-developed characters, making for a thoroughly engaging read. Highly recommended.
55 Healey Road, Bolton 905.951.1501 e: forkam@bellnet.ca w: forstersbookgarden.ca
Wither by Lauren DeStephano “Wither” is the latest in the hottest new genre for young adults; the dystopian future (Hunger Games, Genesis, etc.) novels. In this miserable future, medical science has eradicated cancer and allowed the “first” generation to live longer, healthier lives. However, the genetic manipulation has had a dire consequence. A fatal virus afflicts
Caledon’s bookstore destination. We carry best sellers, hard to find books, and unique gifts.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 21
Must see destination: Caledon Village One beautiful October weekend in 1967, Brampton’s Margaret and Peter Foster, like so many others, drove up to explore the fall colours and found themselves in the heart of Caledon Village. Then they did something else remarkably common … for Caledon anyway: they noticed a chance ‘house for sale’ sign and decided to stay.
Perry’s post office was located inside what is now the Treasure Quest, home to a splendid assortment of jewellery, candles, Boyd bears, and Tiffany style stained glass. The house is rumoured to have been built as a wedding present. At one point the upstairs had five boarders while the downstairs had a general store where Mary Knight’s personal chef prepared pies that had people coming from everywhere.
Clarence Cunnington, and Don Thompson, had bought some land and were When the old post building the village’s office burned down, first subdivision. the general store When Marg and became the new Peter popped in for post office, as well. a look Clarence and his wife, Phyllis, In 1995 Elizabeth were just putting and Yves Delisle on the finishing were looking for a touches to the trim quieter pace from work. “Forty-four where they lived Left to right: Fay McCrea, Elizabeth Delisle, and Marg Foster years later, Caledon in Brampton. They Village has become part of my DNA,” Marg now says. had been working with a realtor for some time when one morning he announced that he had When the Foster’s first son was born, Marg remembers found a place they might be interested in. always being anxious to know if he was gaining enough weight. Each week she would walk over to pick up her mail Back in Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland, Elizabeth’s from the post office and plop her joyous bundle on the scale father had a general store and the moment she saw the for an ounce update from the postmaster, Perry Thompson. front door to the Treasure Quest she knew this was home. The previous owners ran it as a stained glass shop so One November morning, Marg strolled in, placed her son Elizabeth declared that this is what it would continue to be. on the scale, and looked up to see a beet-red Perry urging her to remove her son from the precision instrument. It The entire family took an intensive stained glass seems that all of the big wigs from the city had chosen making course, in the Tiffany style, and Elizabeth then to visit and inspect the facilities. The men emerged continues to periodically go for upgrading and from the back room just in time to see what was going on refresher classes. Elizabeth hosts regular stained glass and erupted with loud laughter. “Only in the countryside workshops, complete with a home cooked lunch, and a would this happen,” they said, leaving Perry to continue finished piece that you can take away as a souvenir. letting Marg use the scale on As time went on Marg found herself with two young her weekly visits. children and no play centre where they could meet
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The Treasure Quest Open Wed. to Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-3
519.927.9523
18414 Hurontario St., Caledon Village www.thetq.com • Boyd’s Bears, gifts, antiques, jewellery • We also specialize in stained glass • Stained glass lessons available
page 22. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011 ... Cont’d from previous page.
others. So, she started a play group that turned into the incorporated Caledon Cooperative Nursery School at Knox United Church. Then, in 1972, Marg joined a group of volunteers to organize Caledon Community School, which brought general interest night school classes such as Astrology, Belly Dancing, and Yoga to the little village. Peter also got involved with the community. When the Caledon Lions Club chartered in 1971 he became one of its first members. At the time, the main thrust was a project to build a swimming pool in the village. Marg recalls how, in 1975 the Lions went door-to-door soliciting funds to build the pool. “This really was a community pool”, says Marg. A few years ago, members of the seniors group that uses the pool for aqua fitness classes began complaining about the safety issues and increased difficulty with respect to getting in and out of the pool. So friends Bronwyn Clark and Lorraine Alexander rallied the group and the community to raise funds for new stairs. Their were so successful that they raised even more than they needed. According to the walking tour of Caledon Village pamphlet, published by the Caledon Village Heritage Committee, the village got its start in 1826 when Robert Raeburn “blazed a trail from Brampton to a point four miles north of the community.” There he built a house and named it Raeburn’s Corners. In 1839 Canada Post erected a post office under the name ‘Charleston’. In 1853, they decided to take the name of the township, renaming the hamlet to ‘Caledon’.
as a popular railway stop. By 1877 about 350 people resided there, with three blacksmiths, a doctor, a tailor, two shoemaker shops, three hotels, two churches, a common school, an Orange Lodge, four driving sheds, and three general stores selling anything you could possibly want. In 1932 the railway was disbanded and paved in 1959. Caledon Village is located halfway between Brampton and Orangeville, and halfway between Mono and Erin. Through its heart, in each direction, is a provincial highway. Hwy. 10, or Hurontario St., stretching north to south while Hwy. 24, or Charleston Sideroad, reaches from east to west. Around this intersection, the village struggles to retain an identity that is so full of life, stories, memories, dreams, and future. If you speak with anybody who lives or owns a business there they will tell you that the one thing they find most consternating is dealing with two highways cutting through the middle of the heart of their village. You hear it from Katerina the esthetician, who recently made the decision to move her thriving business from a unit in the strip plaza shared by Chic à BOOM and Village Bistro, to a more intimate, by appointment only, setting; from Brian
“The Ministry of Transportation is our nemesis. There is a viable community if not for living around a highway corridor.” Thayer, who operates the bird seed store behind that same plaza; from Fran and Lynda, proprietresses of the lovely Outback & Co. ladies wear boutique; from Elizabeth and Yves, who run the Treasure Quest; from the Caledon Village coffee club gang, who get together daily at 10 am to socialize and reminisce; from the dentist whose office is on the little street behind the south west corner of the village centre, who has a studio in the attic of his practice where he fruitfully spends his days painting when inbetween patients; from the politicians who answer to that area; and from the Town Hall Players folks, the local community theater group; and you hear it from all the folks you meet while out on a walk. “The Ministry of Transportation is our nemesis. There is a viable community if not for living around a highway corridor,” says Jim Dodds. Still, the fact that they are all grumbling about it shows how committed and involved everybody is.
The name was modified to Denise Morrison and Brian Thayer having a laugh at Caledon Caledon Village, to The village is full of stories, such as Mountain Wildlife Supply. reduce confusion, that of the historically designated after the Region of Peel formed, in 1974, and drew the property that currently houses Outback & Co., a ladies municipal boundaries that define the Town of Caledon. wear boutique. According to all evidence, the house was built in the 1880s. The lot was originally severed from 100 When the railway was constructed in the 1870s to ship acres in 1855 and was then sold again in 1894, and again in grain from Owen Sound to Toronto, the village prospered
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 23
1899. “The sales of the property continued to be almost an annual event until it was purchased by Caledon Township for the purpose of housing the The Caledon Municipal Telephone System. The Speers family is considered to have been the most significant to run the exchange. In those days every call went to a central location before being connected to other lines.
delicately packaged in glass jars proved to be so popular that they were in high demand, all over the world. The dining room table was extended to accommodate the supply. Unfortunately, when the Avro Arrow was being developed, the test flights were performed over Caledon Village. The sonic boom from one of these caused the extension leaf to collapse, shattering every jar, with herbed vinegar and glass going everywhere!
R.J. (John) Speers instructed all six of his daughters to operate the telephone switchboard, A short walk to the north is giving it 24 hour service, a building that is much older for 18 years. John operated than its renovated stucco the night shift himself and exterior would indicate. even tried to teach his wife, Though today it is home to Il Annie May Campbell, to Baron, also known as Eddie The Wee Gardens, a.k.a. Atkinson-Staite House do it. Annie May “resisted Shack’s doughnut shop, Sutton all efforts to be taught how to operate the exchange on House was built in 1900 by the Sutton family after the the premise that she had enough to do with a husband, Queen’s Hotel had burnt down on that site. Rumour has house and a large family”, wrote Islay Brown. it that Tim Hortons will soon be taking up residence in the location. Today, it is a regular meeting spot for the Still, after her husband’s death in 1949 Annie May carried coffee club, most of whom are members of Knox United on for a year; her son Eddie serving as night operator until Church, which is situated just across Charleston Sideroad. he was killed while out working on the lines, at age 23 and only a month after his wedding day. Islay, who also served The church in question was constructed in 1873. An some time as an operator, lived her whole life in the village immense staircase used to be the key focal point for and had a regular column in the Orangeville Banner. the village and a popular spot for wedding photos. In 1990 a decision was made that the stairs were too To the south of the Outback & Co. sits Bell Canada’s high and often treacherous in icy conditions. A new building. On its other side is a quaint house with entrance was constructed and the stairs were taken down. These days it is still possible to see evidence of the old entrance below a window facing the main street.
This September, Clarence Cunnington, one of the Knox United parishioners, celebrates his 90th birthday. The master carpenter built numerous homes in Caledon Village. He still makes his own preserves and jams from home-grown black currants and pears. Bird feeders hang off a tree in his perfectly manicured, sprawling backyard and inside his bungalow are samples of some of his expert workmanship, such as the clock shown at the top left of the opposite page.
a lovely garden. Back in the day, it used to be known as ‘The Wee Gardens’ though its heritage designation reads Atkinson-Staite house.
Every morning Clarence makes his way over to the local doughnut shop. According to Marg Foster and Fay McCrea, who have devoted themselves to compiling the history of Caledon Village for posterity, if you need to know anything at all about the village, this is the group to chat with. Marg and Fay, the forces of nature behind the Caledon Village Heritage Committee are always looking for fresh content to add to their impressive repository of information.
Billy Atkinson and his wife Verda both had city jobs and a love of gardening. Their modest home was surrounded by a large lot where they grew assorted herbs and made specialty herbed-vinegars. These vinegars,
“Clarence worked for my father, so we go way back. If you search the families of Caledon, somewhere there is a relationship,” says Betty Clark. It was all about people helping people back then. When it was time for
The old telephone exchange, turned ladies dress shop with Bell Canada’s building to the left of it.
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page 24. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Above top: Il Barone, still known as Eddie’s Shack and soon to be Tim Hortons. Centre image, from left to right, the Caledon Village morning coffee club: Milton Giles, Betty Clark, Jim Dodds, Clarence Cunnington, Marie Wade, Rob McLaren. Bottom centre: Keith Millar, President of the Caledon Townhall Players. Knox United Church, above with Marg Foster, and below before the stairs were removed. ... Cont’d from previous page.
thrashing hay they would all bring the hay to the one farm that had the equipment and help each other out. “My family didn’t have tractors. It was all horses”, says Betty, speaking of her Tribble family farm. From the moment she got home from school there was always a job. ‘Come on Betty, you can hitch on,’ her dad would say. She had to
carry water from the well, bring the wood, and gather eggs. “I hate chickens. They peck at you!” For entertainment, the farmers would pay each other visits and play cards or have socials. There would be tea, coffee, sandwiches, and somebody always had a cake. By the time they got home somebody’s cow would have gotten out and have to be chased down. The parlour games of choice were cards, checkers and crokinole. Crokinole is a magnificent wooden table top game that is a combination of table hockey, lawn bowling, darts, and golf. You use your pointer finger and thumb to flick checker pieces between pegs and try to knock your opponent’s pieces out while landing yours in the hole at the centre of the board. The old boards were square because the other side was for checkers. “I remember helping get ready for this one church rummage sale and saw a pretty good octagonal crokinole board. Well, mine was alright but it was a plain square board so I went home, got my board, put it in the sale and bought the nice octagonal one before anybody else could get it,” recounted Clarence, with a mischievous smile. Jim Dodds’ family is one of the original settlers of this village. Jim, with looks befitting of an actor and years that do not show on his face, knows more about the residents
Yevgenia Casale playing crokinole with Clarence Cunnington. Photo by Marg Foster. Also shown LostHeir, the village card game of choice.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 25
The Players are all volunteers committed to delivering a high quality amateur live theater performance. By all accounts, the productions end up on par, if not sometimes better, than professional productions. Over the summers the committee picks charities to support to who they give back a portion of ticket sales.
of Caledon Village than most anybody else thanks to being the village school bus driver for as long as anybody can remember. His sister, Edna, worked alongside Islay at the telephone exchange after the Speers family had left. Jim’s passion is the theater. He is one of the founding members of the Town Hall Players, an amateur theater company that this year is celebrating its 48th season. The Players put on three plays a year at The Caledon Township Hall. The Hall, originally constructed in 1875, and has served as a court house, town hall, library and social centre. When a new town hall was constructed in 1963, the Caledon Townhall Players were given a 99 year lease by the Town of Caledon to house their productions. “Back around 1983 there were plans to expand the highway from two to four lanes,” said Jim Dodds. In the summer of 2003 the building was put
on wheels and moved 20 meters to the east and 40 meters to the south to make way for the highway. At that time, a basement foundation was poured, over top of which they placed the heritage structure, creating much needed additional usable space.
Though steeped in history, modern day Caledon Village is all about new beginnings. This year it welcomed two very different consignment shops and a sushi place to the eclectic mix of unexpected finds and offerings. It is located only 20 minutes north of SouthFields, and east or west of just about anywhere else in Caledon and is a convenient stop for anybody wanting to explore the beauty of the Alton Mill or wander through the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, making it a definite must see destination point.
page 26. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Tax audit survival guide by Rosemarie Eger Receiving “Notification of an Audit” in the mail is not the best way to start your day, whether you are being audited as an individual or a business. Various government agencies do audits: The Federal Government for Income Tax, GST/HST or Payroll; the Provincial Government for PST Audits; or WSIB for Worker’s Compensation. The Provincial Government is now doing PST “Exit Audits” to ensure that those who have had a Retail Sales Tax license are in full compliance. Some of our clients have already received notifications from the Province. Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw but some things that can help trigger an audit include consistent late filing of payroll, HST returns or corporate/ personal return, non-payment of monies due, or if you are tied in with
someone else who was audited and major problems were found there. With the Notification of Audit, there is a lengthy list of documents which the auditors want to see, as well as a proposed audit date. You should either confirm the audit date or change it to meet your schedule. Ignoring the letter will not make the problem go away. To prepare for the audit, set a date which will give you enough time to gather all the paperwork which the auditor has indicated for review. The auditor generally does not go any further back than 7 years or beyond the last audit date, whichever is more recent. Have your PST exemption certificates ready or the WSIB clearance certificates for subcontractors, and of course bank statements and copies of cheques for the entire audit period. For payroll audits, show copies of all Receiver
General payments, T4 slips and the T4 summary. If you have a place of business (rather than just a home office) the auditors would want a tour of the premises to see all the aspects of your operation. Ensure your operation is clean and well organized, especially for WSIB audits. The more organized you are, the smoother the audit can proceed and quicker it is done. Your accounting firm can also serve as a “buffer” between you and the auditor, and you can arrange to have the audit done at your accountant’s premises rather than at your own. There should be one “go to” person that the auditor interfaces with; either your bookkeeper or accountant. Being prepared and organized is the one thing you can do to make the process less stressful. Rosemarie Eger is a member of Alton’s Dufferin Accounting Services team.
Come for the beauty, stay for the coffee. Cheltenham General Store www.cheltenhamstore.com
905.838.2729 14386 Creditview Rd, Cheltenham, ON
• Freshly roasted organic, fair trade coffee • Sandwich deli bar, decadent baked treats • Scooped ice cream, seasonal treats • Home grown, natural, antibiotic-free frozen beef • Gift Shop with unique, tasteful treasures • Post Office, ABM, Interac service • Battery Recycling • Wheelchair accessible
Open Monday to Friday 7 a.m. (for early morning coffee) to 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 27
An artist’s favorite hangout by J.J. Holland Renowned local artist Jeffery (J.J.) Holland is based out of Alton. He writes, paints, and dances everyday. Life is pretty sweet when you know how to love it.
In Alton,
Martha’s is an oasis of wonders where one can relax with expertly grilled, highest quality sausage or hot dogs under a shady tree or colourful umbrella; where one can enjoy superb ice cream in a modern yet old fashioned atmosphere or browse in two rooms with tastefully displayed antiques. Martha’s is a large, 120 year-old, red brick house on Main Street.
Martha’s
Thursday to Monday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
In September a Farmer’s Market will take place in the large back yard of the house, and I hear rumours that evening movies may happen there. Martha’s reminds me of New England, where I grew up. A village place where people of all ages and walks of life can mingle in a timeless, relaxing atmosphere, where you can feel history and sense a pleasant future. Martha Willett, of course is the reason behind all of this. She is like Alice from the song Alice’s Restaurant... “You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant.” Yes, Martha’s is a wonderful place to meet and enjoy friends and strangers. My wife and I will be there for lunch today and in the evening we will most likely go there for an ice cream cone after dinner. As mentioned in the June issue, Martha will open an Apple Cider Bar in the cellar at some point. Martha visualizes things and they happen and she makes sure that what happens is healthy and pleasant for all peoples young and old, bringing new life to the historic village of Alton.
19781 Main St., Alton www.marthasplace.ca
519.938.8726
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Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 29
The beauty of shopping well
P
art of the charm of country living is the absence of shopping malls, cluttered with hurried shoppers wading from store to store on a quest for inexpensive rags that seem to hang from every window. The unfortunate reality is that though a mall may have many stores racks are stocked by the exact same wholesalers. To compound the problem, economies of scale dictate that the retailers sell a narrow range of styles, sizes and cuts.
by Freyda Tartak Realistically, if you were to take this advice you might find yourself standing nearly naked holding a bra that stopped fitting a while back, if it ever did.
The clothing may be cheap, but they look that way and don’t last longer than three to six months. Our disposable society frowns on having a frock in the closet from so much as four or five years ago. Gone are the days when wedding gowns were passed down from mother to daughter as a cherished tradition. The gown or the ring used to be the beautiful ‘something old’. Now it is just old.
up spending five times reasonable on a skirt or jacket but you’ll get your money back in spades because it will
Maybe the need to continually trash and revitalize a closet arises from the fact that so much of what we buy simply can’t stand up to the test of time due to shoddy workmanship and inferior textiles. As we stand on the pioneering stages of the age of sustainability perhaps it is time to revisit our desire to ‘out with the old and in with the new.’ Of course to begin with, we should actually do just that.
What then? Flash back to the fact that you live out in the country with few strip malls. Do a rough estimate on how much you have spent over the past four or five years on the clothes that are now lying in heaps around you.
Take a good look at the clothes in your closet and donate or trash anything that doesn’t actually make you look and feel fabulous. Anything that no longer fits or doesn’t fit yet should be the first to go.
Now it is time for the ugly truth. Smart shopping is about arming yourself with clothes that work for you: a few staple items that can be mixed and matched to create beautiful and always flattering combinations. Perhaps you will end
last and outlast all those things around your feet. In Caledon we don’t have hundreds of shops congested in concrete, air deprived boxes and rectangles. We have billions of trees and rolling hills with Cont’d on next page...
page 30. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011 ... Cont’d from previous page.
Imported fashions for daytime fun or a serious evening out
heritage homes that have been converted into boutique shops where you are welcomed by genuine smiles and knowledgeable fitters who really are interested in making sure you walk out with what works best on you. Aside from the money, this last statement is what keeps most people out of boutiques. It is the idea that the clothes are too expensive and the sales girls have a habit of telling people that everything looks great when it really doesn’t. In Caledon you don’t get that because the fitters live in the community. The place is too small to get away with those sorts of outlandish lies. They have a vested interest in being honest because the boutiques purposely limit their selection. In other words, people know which stores their friends, family and neighbours shop from and if it looks bad then the clients become walking billboards for where not to shop. Places like Belfountain’s The Ascot Room, Outback & Co. in Caledon Village, and Sweet Harmony in Caledon East all take pride in offering people the opportunity to let boutiques add quality and pride to their wardrobes. Genie Hayward of The Ascot Room makes regular trips to Germany and New York to bring fashions to Belfountain that would normally be reserved for the highest end boutiques in Toronto. Some of the selection is so exclusive that it is available only at
The Ascot Room 20 min. North of Brampton 10 min. South of Orangeville 17228 Mississauga Road, Belfountain, ON
519.927.9787
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 31
maybe six other boutiques across Canada. When she is not at the store herself, it is staffed by family and people she genuinely trusts to carry forward her vision. Genie promises that “this fall’s private label collection under the Ascot Room Collection line will really have customers talking!” When Yevgenia Casale needed a gown for the Caledon Butterfly Gala, she trusted The Ascot Room for the right look. Inglewood’s It’s Roxies supplied the accessories. Proprietor Roxanne Mountain personally helped select just the right complement to the gown. As hostess for the night’s celebrations Yevgenia could not take any chances with her appearance and the result was beyond expectation. Outback & Co., situated in the heart of Caledon Village, is owned by a duo of friends who had deep roots within the community, including working with Caledon Community Services. Their styles and fashions are elegant and casual. Just the right place to find clothes that work well to accentuate bodies where they need to. Sweet Harmony is a family owned and operated shop that sits quaintly inside the corner unit of Paisley Courtyards, in Caledon East. The family also owns and operates nearby Carusi Hair Salon, offering local convenience that is valued by their many regular clients. The owners take pride in buying styles that they would, and do, wear themselves. The ladies have a large family, many of whom are involved in the store. They range from sizes 2 to 16, and vary in ages. When they go to the shows and pick out styles, they do it from the view point of the average person. Venturing into a boutique can be an overwhelming experience. For many it isn’t even the price tag. It’s those personal issues: those last ten pounds that even Christy Brinkley has to get rid of; the baby weight; the comfort pounds; the divorce pounds; the prewedding pounds; the swimsuit season pounds. The common approach is that before investing in a new wardrobe it is important to be at your ideal weight. The reality is that when you look good you really do feel better. Putting off dressing well until you have the right shape is counterproductive. You will just end up being older and less fulfilled. If you look like a shlup you feel that way too and the distance between the cake and your mouth gets smaller. The opposite is true, as well. The beauty of boutique shopping is that the personalized, discrete service you receive lets you open up about the areas you need to focus on. The fitters will point out clothes that you would never even consider on the hanger but ones that will be the exact thing you need to hide what doesn’t need to show and accentuate your most attractive features. Sometimes it’s cut; sometimes it’s colour; sometimes it’s the underwear. One thing is for certain: it isn’t you. You’re beautiful. You just have to shop better.
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Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 33
Defining the Caledon Community Health Plan by Tim Forster I consider it a privilege to live in Caledon and feel that it is important to give back to my community. Most recently, I was the Convenor of the Canada Day Strawberry Festival and the organizer of the Car Show at the event. This July, I also joined the Board of Directors for the Caledon Chamber of Commerce. Because of my extensive community involvement people tend to be surprised when they discover that for the past twenty years I have also been running a successful independent insurance brokerage, Tim Forster – Caledon Insurance. Insurance industry research indicates that the average Canadian is underserved when it comes to insurance products. Independent agents, like me, offer quality stand-alone life, mortgage, critical illness, disability, long-term care, and even travel insurance coverage. For financial products we offer insured deposits, insured mutual funds (“Seg Funds”), and annuities. We can now also create Individual Pension Plans that guarantee life-long retirement income. The challenge for consumers is to find a good agent or let a good agent find them. Our priority is putting our client’s interest first. Good agents build their reputations on this principle and stake their livelihood on it. To make health insurance more affordable for fellow Caledon residents, we have partnered with SouthFields Village Voice to develop and promote the concept of the Caledon Community Health “Benefit” Plan. In addition to offering discounted pricing, the programme is designed to give a portion of the premiums back to the community. Our target is to distribute 5-8% of the premiums. Though Tim Forster Caledon Insurance is an independent insurance broker, based on what is available on the market today, Manulife Financial’s unique small association plan
is the ideal product to bring forth to our community. This programme does not have marketing dollars built into it and as such offers immediate savings. It also offers flexibility in the form of eight plan variations. However, we want community members to have access to the complete market, and the ability to select the plan that is right for them, while knowing that a portion of their premiums will go back into the community. A free subscription to SouthFields Village Voice is enough to register and participate as part of the CCHBP group. Each September a list of eligible programmes will be generated and members contacted to vote on recipients. Disbursements will be reported in the winter issue SouthFields Village Voice. Caledon is a popular place to move to and a place where families tend to stay. We still have countryside and fresh air and a passion for both. Planning for life in Caledon means feeling part of the community and creating a solid financial foundation for the future. We can help with your retirement planning, insurance planning, cash flow management, and health benefits. You can help us give a little back. It’s a great time to talk to Tim. The Caledon Community Health Plan is a joint project between SouthFields Village Voice and Tim Forster-Caledon Insurance. It is not associated with the Town of Caledon, the Caledon Chamber of Commerce or any other public or private interest group and has been developed solely for the purpose of helping make living, working and playing locally more affordable.
Retirement Planning Insurance Planning Cash Flow Management Health Benefits: Individual & Group
It’s a great time to www.talktotim.ca Tim Forster BA Econ, RHU, Insurance & Financial Advisor (905) 838-5183 / (416) 720-9829
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Caledon Village
SouthFields Village Voice advertisers are annotated with a boomerang ( ). Phone numbers and ad locations can be found in the Advertiser Listing section on page 66.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 35
page 36. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Moorcroft’s Antiques Where treasures abound Now open Thursday to Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. or by appointment
We buy full & partial estates Repairing: • clocks • furniture • fine china & pottery • re-upholstering
Featuring: • primitives • furniture • glass, china, pottery • silver • collectibles
673 Bush Street. Belfountain
(519) 927-9519
bmoorcroft@rogers.com
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 37
What Caledon Community Services offers You have access to a multitude of health and social programs through Caledon Community Services (CCS).
LIFE for Youth-Caledon youth are assisted in a specialized employability training program.
As a multi-service, communityimpact organization, Caledon Community Services supports residents of Caledon and surrounding communities. For 40 years, CCS programs have helped young and old pursue their growth, health and independence while moving forward in our vision of “Healthy, Engaged, Compassionate Community for all”.
LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)Free English classes.
CCS programs for you
Community Information- Caledon residents can access information and referrals to human services in Caledon and the Region of Peel. Jobs Caledon-Employment Services for local residents with two locations in Inglewood and Bolton. Caledon Small Business Enterprise-Small business consultations and support.
Crisis Support and CounsellingSupport and resources that assist with financial hardship, mental health issues, housing problems and other challenging circumstances. Supportive Housing-Seniors can live independently in six Peel Living buildings throughout Caledon. Transitional Care Centre-Short-term stays for individuals who require care but not admittance to a hospital. Respite Care-Care and companionship for ill or disabled people in their homes allowing families to shop, go to work, appointments, etc. Transportation- Door-to-door accessible service seven days a
week for Caledon Seniors and people with disabilities. Seniors Helping Seniors-An opportunity to meet other older adults and get involved in the community. Voluntarism-Over 350 volunteers donate their time and expertise to help deliver CCS programs and services. Eco-Stores-Two stores, Chez Thrift & The ReUstore, stocked with gently-used, donated treasures. 100% of proceeds from sales support CCS programs. Your support ensures that CCS continues “helping people help themselves by working creatively and responding to community needs” is the way we put our vision in play in all of our programs. The main office of CCS is located at 18 King St. East in the Royal Courtyards, Bolton. For more information visit www.ccs4u. org or call us at 905.584.2300.
page 38. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Celebrating our 22nd anniversary! Mention this ad for special savings.
Credit Creek Country Store Casual clothing, featuring the Bryn Walker collection, Hue Leggings, & more. Unique finds for home & gift giving, every day. Jewellery, scarves, handbags, & hats.
17277 Old Main St. (Mississauga Rd.), Belfountain
519.927.5033
Come on in and see our new look!
come explore Handbags, sweaters, scarves, artizan jewelery designed by Robin BarrĂŠ, British chocolate, biscuits, homemade soup, sandwiches & much more!
the inglewood general store & IT’S ROXIES BOUTIQUE 15596 McLaughlin Rd., Inglewood. 905.838.4386
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 39
The age of sustainability and global restructuring
S
ustainability is not a new concept. The idea that people need to understand the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources and appreciate the global consequences of our actions goes back many centuries.
once laughable Green Party of Canada has become a force to be reckoned with, having won their first seat in the House of Commons in the last federal election.
Somewhere between the Industrial Revolution and the Scientific Revolution came a perfectly natural confusion between striving to be less at the mercy of the whims of Mother Nature and believing that she no longer had any relevance in a modern and advanced society, such as ours.
Search for legitimacy The big challenge is that when the push toward sustainability is driven by a desire for profit it becomes difficult to effectively judge if a particular company, product, or service is true to their word, and how accurate that company’s detractors are in the message they might be putting forward.
A few decades ago scientist and some fringe special interest groups started raising red flags about pollution, air and water quality, depletion of global food supply, drug resistant bacteria, and the fact that we are using fossil fuels much faster than they can be replenished. Initially, the dire warnings of those naysayers mostly influenced students and other people of minimal political or socioeconomical significance.
Now that industry has come around, there is a growing movement toward standardization and accreditation. In other words, if legitimate companies are going to invest their time, resources, and money in order to move toward sustainability, they need to be able to say that their efforts cannot be compared to an organization that is just saying that they are doing it, and consumers need to be able to believe them.
Public policy and industry were slow to respond because of insufficient incentive from their customers; governments; and the implied need to incur additional expense to fix what isn’t broken. Even now, with a shifting of tides and surface incentive programmes from legislative bodies, many companies simply cannot afford to implement the sort of changes that would brand them as sustainable, or even plain “green”.
A recent article in PrintAction, Canada’s Graphic Communications Magazine, highlighted the work of Scott McDougall, President and CEO of Terra Choice and author of The Sins of Greenwashing. Terra Choice defines greenwashing “as the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefit of a product or service.” One example of one of the seven greenwashing categories is the Sin of Vagueness, “where a claim is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. ‘All-natural’ is an example. Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. ‘All natural’ isn’t necessarily ‘green’.”
According to Bob Willard, author of 4 Fundamental Steps, the recent global economic depression was the first time many companies chose to increase their spending on sustainable initiatives rather than cutting back on them. Willard has based a lucrative career as a lecturer and best-selling author on this information, suggesting that companies are seeing sustainability as a valuable marketing tool. It can be argued that the cause of this newfound appetite is two-fold: first, the predominance of social media has given a voice and a way to connect to millions of people. Companies and politicians now have a more direct line of sight to the people they want to reach most and are constantly trying to capitalize on the transparency and immediacy that new media can offer. Second, we are faced with a new generation of business and industry leaders: those same people who nobody used to listen to, because they were broke and not old enough to vote, now own businesses, hold positions of prominence, and have mobilized through the use of social media and group purchasing decisions. The result is that even the
No political system is perfect, though democracy has the distinct advantage of providing a certain degree of transparency through which people can hold their leaders accountable for their actions. By the same token, because our system of government is so heavily skewed by public opinion, with leaders limited to how much time they can hold public office, much more weight is placed on incremental, short-term environmental benefits. If a particular initiative is not politically saleable policy makers are disinclined to go against the will of the people, regardless of the ramifications. Political leaders are often charismatic and may or may not have a background in economics. They typically are not qualified to judge the soundness of ecological, geological, or biological practices and rely on the support they receive from often marginally informed junior staff members and Cont’d on next page...
page 40. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011 ... Cont’d from previous page.
‘experts’ from special interest groups. Too often, the value of the input is judged based on who has largest voter base. Social media tools have made it easy to disseminate misinformation and rile up the masses based on fear and emotion. In the majority of cases people select their position on important topics based on their social circles, not on common sense. This is understandable when the topics are so involved that the average person does not feel qualified to use their own judgement. Instead, they place trust in the opinions of key influencers like friends, co-workers, spouses, children, parents, and politicians, without any independent investigation. The result is a blind mass of individuals who have jumped onto emotional bandwagons, enjoying the benefits of belonging to a cause, trusting the undeniable truth that so many people can’t be wrong, and unanimously beating the drum of feeling part of a social revolution: a movement for positive change. They make their voices heard, repeating what they have heard without any need to confirm, question or validate the points of contention. The upper echelon of the movement, either through ulterior motive, naïveté, ignorance, or misinformation, employ greenwashing to promote their own schedules. Don Lobb, P.Ag.(Hon), Environmental Advocate for Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, uses the term ‘eco-terrorist’ to define people or groups who insight fear in the name of all things green in order to achieve personal agendas. The word “terrorism” first entered popular language with the Jacobins’ reign of terror in early 1790’s, France. The
Hwy. 10
Mayfield Rd.
No matter what good cause there may be, people, as a rule, tend to settle into difficult-to-alter routines, resisting change unless they personally have something to lose. For this reason drastic, violent and aggressive disruption is often easily justified by those seeking to mobilizing the masses. Average people are fed a mountain of disinformation associated with the environment through the internet and social media. Traditional news outlets further propagate partial, barely, if at all, accurate information. All the while those who feel that they have the most to gain or lose and do have the real facts employ a strict code of silence, knowing that when enough people bang the same drum, societal perception of reality, truth, good, and reasonable cause can be manipulated. CFL: Cataclysmically flawed logic Consider the compact florescent light (CFL) bulb campaign of terror. The federal government has adopted a national standard for lighting efficiency that will come into effect in 2012. Most traditional incandescent bulbs will not pass this standard. Over the past few years homes, businesses, and public institutions have all bought into the CFL craze and replaced all of their incandescent bulbs with the spiral menace. Though not the only alternative, initial cost per unit makes them the least expensive. However, considering the associated long-term health impacts of CFLs, the hidden costs are more than most people should be willing to pay. Where incandescent bulbs emit light when the tungsten is heated as electrical current passes through it, CFLs emit ultra violet (UV) rays when the mercury vapour that they contain becomes ‘excited’ by high voltage electricity, causing the phosphor coating inside the lamp to glow.
King St.
Old School Rd.
goal of the Jacobins was to reshape both society and human nature. They sought out and killed “enemies of the people” to set an example and strike fear. It is perhaps the most pure and honest way in which to interpret greenwashing. The Jacobins unabashedly used this term without any negative connotation. They believed that without radical action change would not be possible.
Mercury is the only existing element that produces the UV wavelengths needed to make CFLs work. It is a highly toxic substance. When breathed
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 41
as a vapour, it can be absorbed through the lungs. According to Health Canada, symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremors; emotional changes (e.g., mood swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insomnia; neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; changes in nerve responses; and performance deficits on tests of cognitive function. Higher exposures may affect kidney and respiratory function and may even result in death. The excited gas results in a constant flicker. While adequate for high traffic areas, such as hallways, it is not conducive for use in work and study areas where prolonged exposure can result in diminished eye heath. Prolonged exposure can also cause headaches, fatigue, irritability, and nausea. Further, as with the majority of mass produced commodity goods, quality is a big concern. Inferior bulbs can melt at the stem, causing mercury to leak out. With such widespread adoption of CFLs, the risks of widespread mercury poisoning is a significant threat, the direct effects have which can take 10 to 30 years after initial exposure to become evident. Discarding CFLs requires the employment of hazardous waste handling procedures, though it is doubtful that most people are well enough versed in the related dangers and are likely just throwing them in the garbage. In cases where a CFL light bulb breaks, the area must be vacated for a minimum of 15 minutes, and well ventilated. The mercury must be scooped up with stiff cardboard and collected into a glass container. Under no circumstances is plastic to be used. If mercury lands on carpeting or upholstery it is recommended that said carpeting or furniture be safely discarded per hazardous waste procedures. If a CFL bulb breaks in a aquarium the water must be neutralized and then discarded as toxic waste. This August a massive tornado leveled downtown Goderich. Just image the levels of mercury released from all those broken light bulbs. A sustainable alternative The most viable alternative to CFLs are light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, containing no hazardous chemicals, and 86% more efficient than conventional lighting. Modern offerings can also be screwed into conventional light sockets, just like CFLs, and can be used to light the equivalent of a 50 Watt halogen. They are rated at 20,000 to 50,000 hours of use. Cost per bulb can be 50 times that of a traditional incandescent light bulb, making it an effective deterrent to mainstream adoption. However, as people move toward this more sustainable lighting option the unit price will drop.
Here is an excellent example of where government incentive programmes would be effective in driving real sustainable best practices. Subsidies would assist average consumers in making healthier purchasing decisions. If our tax dollars are used to support sustainability, instead of propagating greenwashing, the net benefit would be widespread, making true strides toward sustainability. We, as consumers and voters, should question popular opinion and validate assertions before supporting causes. North America is gradually losing its influence on the world stage, and for good reason. Our society is consumed with the costs associated with replacing existing power systems and adapting the equipment that is driven by them. In the next 10 to 20 years, the African nations and other developing third-world countries are going to bypass us on the world stage due to their minimal reliance on inefficient power sources and significant investment in sustainable power. They are moving straight from kerosene lamps to solar powered LED lighting solutions. The government of Kenya is incenting and mandating the use of solar and geothermal energy in all new construction. They are working with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), a branch of the UN, and private sector companies such as Orangeville’s TDC Solutions, to create sustainable community power centres. We need to do a better job of moving toward true sustainability before we fall too far behind.
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Powering up downtime by Mary Maw The Caledon Public Library’s Technology Services Department has created an in-house screensaver to promote library programmes and services via public computers. Previously, the library had to rely on posters placed on bulletin boards, the website, and newsletters to get the word out. Now this information can be displayed system-wide! The application was designed in phases, enabling the library to easily incorporate additional features such as spreading news and events by way of in-branch TV advertising, as well as on staff and public computer screen savers. The software
allows for targeted in-branch advertising that is managed and maintained at a remote location, allowing more people to see information that matters to them, sooner. In addition to the inherent immediate communication efficiency improvements a significant cost savings is projected for the library due to its implementation. Currently it already available for in-branch use and the team is working on a version for patrons to download and use at their home or office. We are hoping to make the new feature available from our website this coming October.
A chance for girls to shoot and score by Tom Cowan The Caledon Coyotes were formed 4 years ago by Caledon resident Bob Symons and has grown over the years to the point where competitive rep teams could be considered. In April 2011, after a significant effort, the OWHA (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) approved the formation of 2 teams. The OWHA tested us. They had to be convinced that competitive teams could be formed; that Caledon could be a growing base of female hockey players; and that the application was not short-lived.
Gaining that approval was a team effort from the community, involving Barry MacDonald, a local business
owner; councillor Nick deBoer; Coyotes president Bob Symons; local resident Tom Cowan; and Kristen Scott from our Parks and Recreation department.
Town council gave this effort their unanimous support and Mayor Morrison lobbied strongly on our behalf. After gaining approval, there was a short time-line to select coaches and start try-outs. All of this has been accomplished and the organization is looking forward to the coming season. This year the Coyotes are forming eight house league teams for ages 6-18 in addition to the rep teams mentioned above. To register or gain more information, please go to our website http://www.caledongirlshockey.ca/ or email caledoncoyotesrep@live.ca.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 43
Your breasts deserve to be handled better
W
e live in a complicated world. You would think that breasts are such a common occurrence that finding something to hold them up, make them feel cozy and secure, and help a woman look phenomenal with her top both on and off would not be too much to ask. In reality, unless you are the mythical 34B that most bra retailers will have you believe that you are, finding a good fit can be frustrating and expensive. The sad truth is that most women are walking around with bras that are doing more damage than good, even if they paid a pretty penny for them. Common problems include straps that dig into shoulders, boobs escaping in undesirable locations, bulging back fat that can be seen through anything except a parka, the appearance of not even wearing a bra, etc. More importantly, ill-fitting bras can cause pain. Sore nipples can that hurt almost as much as the engorged breasts of a new mother. Anybody who has gone through this experience will tell you that this is not a sensation they would wish on their worst enemy. Then there is back pain. Fatigue. Irritability. Too many of us have been convinced, long ago, by some poorly-trained sales lady that we are indeed all a 34B and have grown accustomed to a perpetual state of dissatisfaction with our bodies and the conviction that if we just lose those extra ten pounds the sun will shine again. Too often have we been sucked in by false hopes and promises of so-called boutiques that still only sell what they sell and if it doesn’t fit then it’s obvious ‘that you are just not used to a bra that fits right.’ They educate you that even though they don’t have your size you can go up a number and down a cup size or the other way around and get the same effect. They teach you that it really
by Freyda Tartak does fit and that you should really go ahead and spend that $275. After all, they are the experts. Still, breasts are not to be ignored so we push on, and up, and squeeze, and hold our breath hoping that this boutique will be the one to help. It isn’t the money. Quality construction, workmanship, fabric deserve a fair price because a good bra will last you longer than a slew of cheap ones, and it will do what it’s supposed to. But spending hard earned dollars on things that don’t work is just silly. A woman’s bra size changes over a lifetime. Exercise, medication, childbirth, weight gain/loss, stress, and age all contribute to the need to periodically get a proper bra fitting done at a trusted boutique. If you get your girls measured at a department store, be ready for minimum wage results. According to Orangeville’s Scented Drawer, a well-respected boutique renowned for exceptional customer service, patience and knowledge “in our experience women tend to be off by two sizes.” The right bra will provide a smooth silhouette, allowing clothes to fit better. What you look like before putting your clothes on is so important that high-end ladies wear boutiques have made it common practice
to have some variety of Spanx readily on-hand and all the sales girls, size zero and up, will tell you that they swear by them. In reality, all you need is a bra that does its job well. The right bra will make you look ten pounds lighter. Guaranteed. Places like The Scented Drawer make it their mission to offer a trusted welcoming atmosphere and one-onone professional, personalized service devoted to providing a proper fitting. They offer discretion and grace to a shopping experience that can take its toll on a person’s sense of self-worth. All of the ladies there are certified mastectomy and prosthesis fitters and greet you with a welcoming smile. The next time you get up the courage to walk into a store and ask if they carry 32F make sure it will be one where somebody will answer: ‘We sure do!’
Indulge yourself or someone special with discreet, personalized service that ensures you get a perfect fit and feel that is right for you. Specialty sizing and fitting from petite to voluptuous, classic to romantic.
519.941.9941 or 1.877.441.9941 143 Broadway, Orangeville www.thescenteddrawer.com
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S
The view from inside a gravel pit
ustainable initiatives, at various levels of government, are funded by tax dollars.
This means that incremental, immediate results are more likely to be funded. By contrast, James Dick Aggregate and Construction employs what they refer to “as responsible resource planning.” They believe that their initiatives will yield over ten times more carbon reductions than all the all the environmental programmes currently contemplated in the Town of Caledon, combined. James Dick believes that by locating resources close to market they will be able to drastically cut truck traffic and conserve thousands of tonnes of CO2, per annum. A single new quarry has the potential to save as much as 8,100 annual tons of CO2 emissions. Nobody disagrees that aggregate is an essential resource. 60% of government infrastructure spending is on aggregates for roads, schools, bridges, hospitals, etc. They just argue about where to get it. According to Greg Sweetnam, VP at James Dick Construction, Ontario is currently using up the available supply three times faster than it is being renewed. Despite the optics of aerial
photographs of upper Caledon, we are facing a serious threat of running out of supply, as confirmed by five volume study released in 2010 by the Ontario government that examined the state of Aggregate Resource. Only one new stone quarry permit has been issued in the GTA since 1972. Though 100% of material suitable for recycling is used, it only replaces 8-13% of the virgin material required from pits and quarries. This doesn’t mean that we, as individuals, will stop consuming the reported 14 metric tonnes/ capita/annum. It just means that it will cost us a lot more to do it. Currently, 50% of the delivered cost of aggregate is attributed to transportation. In the next 10 years various independent sources project the cost of diesel to rise from $1.20 to $3/gallon. Although we have the supply close to market, the industry will be force to purchase and transport it from Cleveland, having significant ramifications to not only the environment but tax payers’ ability to provide funding. Detractors often cite the human cost to increased grave traffic. Statistically, there is an accident involving a gravel truck very 1,000,000 km. Locating resources close to market could save 40,000 truck
kilometres per day, translating to, on average, 25 monthly collisions. One of the most frightening concerns about gravel pits and quarries is that going below the water table can have irreversibly catastrophic effects on our drinking water supply. According to The Updated Proposed Assessment Report for the CTC Source Protection Region, Assessing Our Water Sources: Protecting Our Drinking Water, The CTC Source Protection Committee, published in June 2011, The Region of Peel municipal water supply to Alton and Caledon Village are drawn from the confined surficial sand aquifers of the James Dick Caledon Sand & Gravel operation, serving roughly 4,500 people. The report continues to say that two former municipal wells (wells 1&2) were taken off line in 2004 due to elevated nitrates, chlorides, and Dense, Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs). In laymen’s terms, the wells had become contaminated due to the close proximity of poorly maintained residential septic systems. According to the report, going below the water table in Caledon
Pictured from left to right: Caledon Beach taken beside the fish hatchery; progressive rehabilitation of exhausted pit lands in an active pit; Greg Sweetnam, VP James Dick Aggregate & Construction; Arctic Tern, one of many species of birds that share the space with the work crews; school of minnows.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 45
Village continues to rescue the water supply in that area, making the water a sustainable resource. Gravel pits used to be a concave surface where water would run off the land, contributing to flooding in the Credit River. The change in the topography allows 2.1 million meters3 / year to infiltrate aquifers (water-bearing layers of soil, sand, gravel, and rock). The aquifer’s plants, algae, and both microscopic and large predators either feed off or lock in the dirty water’s nitrates, yielding usable quantities of water to a well and flowing through to ground water. Ten times the consumption of Caledon Village then goes to contribute to base flow in the Credit River, Silver Creek and associated wetlands. The resulting water quality in the Alton/Caledon Village Water Systems not only meets the Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS) criteria as suitable for human consumption it (as confirmed through regular, third-party testing) is the cleanest water in all of Peel Region. Opponents also worry about the depletion of recreational land spaces, noise, and dust. The background of this article is a photo of top three crushing yards in Ontario, producing 1,200 tons/hour. There was more noise on Hurontario from car traffic than from inside the pit. A large part of Brampton and many sites in modern Caledon were once active gravel pits and quarries. Sand and Gravel that came out of the Caledon Village pit was used to
construct many landmarks including the CN Tower, a key tourist attraction. For the past ten years members of Team Canada, including Olympic Gold Medalist Simon Whitfield; and C3 (The Canadian Cross Training Team), including Barrie Shepley who does the play by play for CBC’s Olympic coverage, have been using an exhausted portion of the pit that sits just off Hurontario St., known as James Dick Beach Park, as their training ground.
the pit hosts The Walleye Fisherman of Ontario’s brood stock, allowing 60,000 fingerlings to be populated into public Ontario waters on an annual basis. The Osprey are so attracted to the pit that several osprey nesting platforms, including one on top of an old crane, and the one pictured here in the background, have been constructed to keep them from nesting in the equipment.
The crisp waters contain high populations of yellow perch; walleye; large and small mouth bass; rainbow, “The first barrier to the contamination speckle, and lake trout; and six to eight of drinking water involves protecting different kinds of minnows. According the sources of drinking water. I to James Dick, there are 1,400 times recommend that the Province the population of fish habitats in adopt a watershed-based planning the pits than there are in the entire process … to develop a source protection plan for each watershed in the Caledon Creek Watershed Area. In 2014, James Dick will be celebrating province.” Justice Dennis O’Connor their 50th year in business. The The Walkerton Inquiry, 2002 company has always been regarded as a model corporate citizen. It is The creation of man-made water Caledon’s third largest employer bodies is a sound ecological practice. and has a boardroom full of boxes These ponds are mandated for many on boxes of dedication plaques for new residential high-density areas. community contributions. There SouthFields will have a minimum simply isn’t enough wall space in the of five of them and they are being building to hang all of them: from effectively marketed as part of the purchasing a new dialysis machine village allure. for the Headwaters Hospital to supporting bike races, the arts, the Because the operation employs a Pink Tie Gala, to a myriad of local progressive approach, exhausted softball and hockey teams, etc. areas are simultaneously transformed into luscious green and water Over the past decade, the fight over spaces, ready for recreational use the Rockfort Quarry has taken a toll and rehabilitating lands faster on the company and the community. than stripping new resources. Now that the fight is over, we thought it was time to remember that there At the opposite end are two sides to every story. of Caledon Beach,
page 46. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Antica Osteria Italian Ristorante Where casual elegance is served
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Love light by Heather Scavetta, RN, Reiki Master It has been 5 years since I founded School of Miracles. Since that time hundreds of people have passed through my door looking for answers. Many were people suffering the loss of a loved one, others were at a fork in the road and not sure where to go next, some needed a further understanding of their spiritual abilities. At School of Miracles, we offer many different classes and workshops. The foundation of my practice is meditation and I truly feel that it is the backbone of developing any spiritual practice.
With its world-class cuisine & neighborhood ambience, this authentic ristorante is a popular local gathering spot. Whether you’re celebrating something significant or simply crave great Italian fare, Antica Osteria will award an unforgetable experience. 3088 Mayfield Rd. (northeast corner at Hurontario St.) View all of our menus: www.anticaosteria.ca Reservations, call (905) 495-5555 or online: info@anticaosteria.ca
Heather
Heather Scavetta, RN Reiki Master
SCHOOL OF MIRACLES The next step on your journey
Workshops & Classes Meditation Reiki Healing Channeling/Trance Psychic Development Mediumship Readings 19223 Hurontario Street, Caledon, ON L7K 1X3 www.heatherscavetta.com heather@heatherscavetta.com 519.927.3387 Register for Fall classes now
This all came about after the death of one of my twin daughters, Elizabeth, in a car accident on New Year’s Eve 2004. Since that time, my life has never been the same. I went through months of deep grief and came to a point where I felt that the world held no answers for me. On the night that was my dark night of the soul, I realized I couldn’t find a way out of the misery and pain. Then I prayed for help. Since that night my life changed. Was she around me, although I couldn’t see her? I started to see visions of beautiful colours and pictures playing out in front of me. Motion pictures of nature, animals and beauty I had never seen before. I did not have any spiritual abilities before this time. I feel meditation helped me to calm the body and mind to allow another perception to take place. This truly was a miracle. I had never heard of this happening and didn’t know this was possible, but I knew Elizabeth had reached me to tell me she was still in our lives and very much alive. Many other miracles continue to happen to this day. This is all because I asked for help, and someone answered. If this is possible for me, it is possible for anyone. My husband, Tony, who was a skeptic before Elizabeth’s transition to spirit, developed through meditation the ability to see loved ones who have crossed over and now gives mediumship readings. Hearing messages from your loved one brings a unique level of healing. Now, 7 years later, I help others “open up” to the spiritual realm and discover their own abilities. I know that my daughter lives and is happy. How, because she told me many, many times. To this day I continue our communication of love and now she helps others in my classes to learn about their own abilities. Being able to communicate with spirit is not a gift, it is who we are. Everyone already communicates with the spiritual realm. Where do thoughts come from? Not all thoughts are yours. Some thoughts are lovingly sent like a whisper from Heaven to help guide and encourage you to take that next step forward.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 47
What Babar taught Lyn
Westfall
Let’s discuss, for a minute, the idea of organized chaos: a scientific concept where everything exists in a random state in order to maintain a delicate balance within a particular environment. In other words, without structure you cannot define something as even being chaotic. True abstract art is like that. Beneath all the colour, or absence of it, the cacophony of shapes or simplicity of form, there is a thought. This is what art is all about: the physical realization of a thought. Sometimes it is a well-defined intent but in many cases it is a kernel of a driving force pushing itself into the crispness of existence. When true inspiration hits, the artist is reduced to the significance of any other instrument involved in labour: Cont’d on next page...
page 48. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011 ... Cont’d from previous page.
The paint brushes, thinner, pallet knife, canvass, and handa are all are mere tools of development. Defining if a work is good, or even art at all, is like defining if a thought is worth exploring or forgetting. Creative output can be just as forgettable and just as able to take on a life of its own. Any work, no matter how realistic, is at the mercy of its interpreter. What the viewer brings to a painting, sculpture, musical score, or written word is an integral part of its worth. A work that is viewed by nobody cannot be assigned a value. For Lyn Westfall, an established local abstract and interpretive landscape artist; member of the Caledon Hills Studio Group; and retired arts teacher, this is a concept that serves to define who she is. On the one end, a child orphaned by war, on the other a well-loved oldest sibling of eleven. Lyn’s biological father is one of the unknown soldiers for whom monuments have been erected around the world, shot down by the Germans in WWII when she was just three months old, Lyn’s only connection to her father’s side and his French Canadian heritage was a gift from his family in the form of a book: L’Histoire de Babar, by Jean De Brunhoff. Babar, a little elephant, was orphaned early on and sent to be educated in a place that could not be more different from his roots. On his return home he brought back what he had learned to build a new reality for those around him and they proclaimed him king of the newly built Celestville, named for his queen, Celeste, with whom he shared a long, happy and fruitful marriage despite occasional clashes with the obtuse, war mongering Rataxes, king of the rhinos.
21st Caledon Hills Studio Tour 2011 Weekends Sept. 24-25 & Oct. 1-2 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekdays September 26-30, by appointment only
Studios – Principal Artists
Merle Harstone; abstract assemblage; 16797 Kennedy Randy McLeod; turned wood vessels; 15717 Airport Marty Rothstein; photography; 16770 Horseshoe Hill Stone Ridge Studio; leather jewellery; 17812 St Andrew’s Cory Trepanier; landscapes in oil; 16662 The Gore Lyn Westfall; landscape paintings; 18388 Heart Lake Bridget Wilson; glass and silver jewellery; 18388 Heart Lake
Guest Artists
Randy McLeod’s Studio: Debra Gibbs; fine porcelain Merle Harstone’s Studio: Kim McCarthy; encaustic & mixed media painting Stone Ridge Studio: Judy Nice; reclaimed metal sculpture Stone Ridge Studio: Arlene Peters; modern, brightly coloured pottery
Contacts
Cory Trepanier: (T) 905 880 2029 Merle Harstone: (T) 519 927 5894 w: CaledonHillsStudioTour.com; e: info@CaledonHillsStudioTour.com
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 49
Lyn, with members of her Caledon Hills Studio Tour Group. Pictured from left to right: Randy McLeod, Bridget Wilson, Joan of Stone Ridge Studio, Merle Harstone, ,Cory Trepanier, Lyn Westfall, and Marty Rothstein
Westfall bears no bones about being radically different in character from any of her 10 siblings, all of whom were products of her mother’s second marriage. Her creativity and drive to produce is as much a compulsion as it is her link to her father. Not a day can go by without painting, letting lose a symphony of colour, sculpting and defining, layering and revisiting interludes of ideas, characterized by bold defining strokes and outlines. Even during her twelve-year period as a cloistered nun Lyn would find time in the wee hours of the morn to create. According to Westfall, the Order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, London, was extremely supportive and nurturing of her creative pursuits. Without them she would never have had the opportunity to attend the University of Windsor, where she earned a degree in fine arts. But, though there were elements that she appreciated and connected with, Lyn eventually requested formal permission from the Vatican to leave the communal lifestyle. After three years she married and built a successful career in Toronto, teaching art at Loretto Abbey, a private high school in Toronto run by the Order of the Loretto Sisters. One day she and her husband were driving and chanced by a tree standing in its solitude, unmoved despite a wooden fence that runs on either side and then around it. The property owners, rather than sacrificing the tree or attempting to possess it, recessed
the fence to run around the inner perimeter, at once acknowledging and letting be something that was obviously there long before they were. The tree, itself is magical. Its branches stretch and curve to embrace without grasping like the contours of eyes that are visible from any angle and distance. The foliage is neither dense nor sparse. Like Lyn, it just is. Whoever owns it, the town or the property holders, or both, let it exist. They didn’t try to change it, or remove it, or go through it. They left it and ran the fence around it. In that instant Lyn and her husband knew that they had found home. The hills of Caledon do that to people.
Be it through divine design or pure coincidence, not far away a private residence sat for sale in a state of serious neglect. It was an old converted schoolhouse and still had the two entry doors; one for boys and one for girls. Lyn and her husband, a couple of teachers and life-long artists, were instantly charmed by the bricks, into which some children had carved their initials, and knew that this was it. Sitting on an angle, with a rounded drive and an inspirational back yard, Lyn’s home is complete with a recent add-on: a spacious and well lit artist’s studio loft. It may not be Celestville, but it certainly is Caledon. 15977 Airport Road, Caledon East www.caledoneastbakery.com
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page 50. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Personalize your house to make it a home by Carolyn Goldberg Personalizing your new home brings it to life! Has your design dilemma gone from bad to worse? You’ve moved in, unpacked, arranged and rearranged the furniture, hung some pictures, watched endless design shows, had some friendly advice from family and friends. You’re frustrated and ready to pack up and move to the smart sophisticated model home you fell in love with! Start by keeping it simple, one room at a time and prioritize. Collect pictures from magazines, revisit the model home and focus on the room you like best. Taking pictures as a reference will help guide you through the process. Make some notes and take measurements of the space and furniture. Itemize what you like about the room. Colour of the walls, style and placement of furniture. Is the sofa against the wall or centered in the room? Arrange your furniture in relation to your activities. Whether it’s conversation, TV watching, reading, family fun or homework keep in mind your dream room. Is there an area rug? What’s the colour, size, texture or pattern of the rug? Draw a little floor plan to help you.
Window treatments are the perfect opportunity to create a focal point! Consider your exposure and privacy needs for your room. Inquire about motorization for hard to reach windows, or cordless shades for small children and pets, to prevent choking hazards. This is where a lot of people go astray: choosing the wrong window treatment can be a costly mistake you probably won’t change. Do you see draperies, blinds, shutters or a valance in the picture? Your dream room may be more airy with a shade, softened with drapery panels and a decorative rod for detail. Do the drapery panels go to the floor? Is the rod small or large, metal or wood? Does it have finials adding a little bit of glam or sparkle? Consider fabric colour and pattern, add some toss cushions on the bed or sofa in the same pattern or colour as the draperies creating a custom look. Artwork makes a statement! Is there one large piece of art over the sofa, two side by side or a grouping? Make a drawing of the art arrangement in your notebook. Arrange your art on the floor to get a better idea of how it will look on your wall.
Accessories are the jewelry that completes your space and it’s what people love most about a well designed room. Arrange items on your Cocktail table by grouping something fairly tall, with a large round plate and a small box close together. If you have photographs, place different size frames on your end tables, the frame style should compliment everything else in the room. Does the room you love have lamps, what size are they? You’re well on your way to personalizing and decorating your space!! You know what you want and how it will look. More than likely you already have the furniture, accessories and you might have the lamps as well. Have fun, recreate and rearrange Carolyn Goldberg is a certified Interior Decorator and owns and operates Interiors By Carolyn Inc. See her ad on the inside back cover of this magazine.
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Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 51
A different perspective… a work in progress by Michele Skawski I remember venturing down a long winding driveway to pick up Josie, the teenage girl who was going to babysit my daughter. I don’t remember the house. In Caledon most houses are a work in progress so we don’t take first impressions very seriously. That was 12 years ago. This summer, I made my way down the same driveway to interview Josie’s parents on the evolution of their home from a modest farmhouse to the grand, welcoming home that it has become. Maria and Tav wanted a more natural lifestyle for their children. 24 years ago they bought 56 acres with privacy and room for Josie, Guy and Rosanna to roam; a barn that they filled with animals; and a simple house that became an open door to friends and family. Eventually the house needed major updating. By then, Maria and Tav’s hair salon, Headlines, was so busy they thought moving to a newer home would be easier than taking on a major renovation. After
Guy & Claire with the Schembri family wood mill in the background.
scouring the countryside the Schembri family realized they didn’t want to leave their community. The labour of love began in 2007. Transforming the farmhouse proved to be the perfect outlet for the family’s unlimited artistic talents. The “quirky” roofline, that was the result of a previous owner putting a 2 storey addition at each end of a bungalow, was bridged by a 33 foot high cathedral ceiling creating a monolithic great room that manages to stay warm and inviting through the extensive use of wood, natural stone and light. Following in the footsteps of the European Masters, Tav decided to mill his own wood. He made the doors and window frames, the 10 ½” baseboards and the open staircase that leads up to the 2nd storey catwalk. He reused boards from the original house as a tribute to the past, plus he built oversized furniture to complement the grandeur of the great room! The remodelled kitchen is defined by a massive granite-topped island. The original family room is now a romantic main floor master bedroom suite. Next, Maria and Tav plan to focus attention on the second level. The Schembri family’s life story is now interwoven with tales of the renovation – the first time the house was cleared of drywall dust was the morning of Josie and Mike’s wedding – only
moments before the guests arrived! Guy and girlfriend, Claire, enjoy renovating so much that Guy is taking Architectural Design at college and plan on taking on reno projects of their own. Maria and Tav’s enthusiasm causes me to consider: it’s the journey that’s important not necessarily the destination. Many homes in Caledon are a work in progress. For some, a renovation is just another item on a never-ending “to do” list; for others, it’s an opportunity to explore their creativity. It’s all in your perspective!
Tav with an extra large rocking chair he made from the leftover wood after building his dining room set.
page 52. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 53
Barbie’s house: Looking beyond “green” claims by Barb Shaughnessy
From a designer’s point of view, here are four points that come to mind: quality and longevity, transportation and distance, environmental impact and social conscience. Let me explain. Quality and longevity Buy quality and it will always be a great investment even if you have to wait to get everything on your wish list. A great sofa will last longer, sit better, and can be reupholstered when you want a change. A “cheap” sofa may feel like a bargain but it will not stand up and soon be at the end of the driveway for pick up. So buy the best that you can afford and focus on more classic pieces instead of trendy. Trendy becomes dated quicker than you think. The same goes for appliances. Inexpensive appliances break more often and do not perform as well. Once you fix an appliance and it breaks again, you certainly will wish you had saved up for the better product the first time around. An appliance that lasts twenty years is significantly better investment than one that lasts five to seven. Transportation/distance The distance a product travels to get to your home is a key factor when determining “green”. Most slabs of stone for countertops come from Italy, Brazil, China or India. Why not consider slabs of granite, limestone or slate that are mined in Quebec or Ontario? By supporting Canadian manufacturers you support local jobs. Environmental impact Consider the sustainability of the products we buy. Is the product free of harmful pollutants? Are waste products produced by the company disposed of in an environmentally healthy way? Does the company recycle? Are environmentally friendly materials used in the manufacturing? What about “green energy” in the
plant? Corporate leaders are adopting healthier, more sustainable operating standards for their companies because the reward is less waste, a better finished product, and often (remarkably) more profit. We must be good stewards of the land and make sure the ecosystems in various regions are not damaged by our desire for a particular product. Social conscience This has everything to do with working conditions, fair wages and the use of a voluntary labour force. Thirty years ago, hand knotted rugs were popular. They were being woven by young children who were not allowed to go to school. The desire for hand knotted was more important than who was doing the knotting. Today milling machines can duplicate the process at a fraction of the cost and the demand for hand-knotted has declined. Because of situations like these, we now have something called “Fair Trade”. Fair Trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries provide better working conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates for higher social and environmental standards. Bamboo is a great example of a trendy green product.. The ability to renew in three to seven years is what gives the bamboo its “green” designation. Bamboo is sold as “hard” yet the Janka scale has bamboo as less hard then hard maple, ash or red oak. As much as 20% of the flooring product is glue and may contain formaldehyde, a proven health risk. Major
forests are being bulldozed to make room for more bamboo. The hills are eroding and local biodiversity is being decimated. Pesticide and fertilizer use further impact land and wildlife. To get to North American markets bamboo is shipped halfway around the world Green alternatives to bamboo: Reclaimed Wood flooring has great patina and history. The wood could be from a home being torn down, old commercial building or barn. The wood can be resawn into planks or you can seek the more elusive and expensive “original face” products that only need to be refinished. Salvaged Wood is one of the latest trends. Managed forests must remove any tree that has been plagued by insects or beetles to control infestation. Instead of destroying the wood, it is put into a kiln to be dried at high heat killing everything. The bugs leave streaking and small holes adding charm and character. Ambrosia Maple makes beautiful floors and furniture. Wood is also being salvaged from logs buried in bogs or retrieved from the bottom of lakes where they have been for years if not centuries. These products can be expensive but offer unique looks and come with a wonderful story. Refinishing your floors can renew tired and worn hardwood. One suggestion is to use an eco friendly coating that is VOC free (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the finishing process. This will minimize off-gassing which is a major air quality concern in our homes. “Thinking green” is all about making our life healthier and helping the environment at the same time. Decisions on major purchases are opportunities to impact positive change.
page 54. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Sustainable alternatives: Geothermal energy Throughout the year, almost 50% of the sun’s energy is absorbed into the earth. Geothermal systems, also known as geo-exchange and earth energy, provide structural heating and cooling by taking advantage of the relatively constant year-round temperature of the soil below the frost line. Geothermal technology has been around since the early 1900s and used to both heat and cool buildings such as homes, schools, barns and greenhouses. In recent years it has seen a surge in popularity, with more than a million installations across North America. Businesses like Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, new schools such as the one being constructed in SouthFields, and several Ontario farmer livestock barns, have all taken advantage of this form of renewable and sustainable energy to their meet heating and air conditioning needs.
To operate, a geothermal pump has to connect to an electrical power grid. Geothermal heat pumps don’t use large amounts of electricity. On average, a 200-amp service provides enough capacity. In certain cases smaller amp services may also suffice. An environmentally friendly antifreeze solution or pure water carries energy directly from a closed or open loop system into the heat pump which then sends water or forces air through a building. Installation costs vary, depending on the difficulty of excavating trenches for a horizontal loop, or drilling boreholes for a vertical system. Horizontal loops are less expensive but require more space. However, once installed, the land can continue to be used for most agricultural purposes. Quality installations require little to no maintenance and have an exceptionally low incidence of
breakdowns. Compared to oil or gas furnaces, they provide a steadier indoor temperature and are less noisy. The Integration of Renewable Energy on Farms website reports that the fee for installation can range from $3,000-5,000 per 10,000 Btu output, and cost $100-$150/10,000 Btu output to operate. The life expectancy of the heat pump will vary depending on the type. Most pipes carry a minimum of a 25-year warranty. According to GeoSmart, regarded as one of the best manufacturers of this technology on the market, a geothermal system offers an 80% efficiency improvement compared to ordinary furnaces and air conditioners. For every dollar of electrical energy it uses to run the heat pump, it generates almost five dollars worth of energy output to heat and cool your home. In winter, a fluid-filled pipe is warmed by the surrounding earth. Inside the
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 55
building, a heat pump extracts that heat and circulates it either via a forced air system or hot water pipes. When required, a forced air system can easily operate in the opposite direction in order to cool the building. The significant upfront investment required often serves as a deterrent preventing more people from taking advantage of the technology. Governments periodically offer subsidies to incent property owners. The Ministry of Natural Resources stipulates that to qualify for any available subsidies, a system must be installed by a company certified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition. According to GeoExchange, “every time subsidies were available, it seemed that the geoexchange industry would live a golden age. Every time subsidies disappeared, so did dozens of fly-bynight unqualified companies that left behind hundreds of poor installations.” GeoExchange reported this happened in the 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s. Clearly, government subsidies are not the answer. Further, retrofitting existing
properties has a high associated cost and is highly disruptive. Aside from the digging or excavation, existing ductwork may need to be modified. Currently, the Ontario government offers a sales tax rebate that covers residential geothermal systems. A more effective approach would be to incent new home builders to implement the technology and to better regulate the service providers. Costs, such as those associated with excavation, would be more manageable when systems are incorporated as just another step in new structure construction, not requiring separate excavation. Once a system is set up required maintenance is minimal. This includes regularly changing or cleaning filters, duct cleaning, and having the heat pump serviced once a year. Expecting average home owners to retrofit their properties is unrealistic. Instead, the political infrastructure should be put in place to support sustainable development that does not perpetuate inefficient dependencies on fossil fuels. The
homes of SouthFields are not being built with geothermal energy but they should be, just as all new residential and commercial construction coming in to Caledon should be. In making sustainable decisions it is important to differentiate between different technologies and between industrial and commercial applications. Though relying on the same principle of harvesting heat stored in the earth to generate a steady and reliable stream of renewable energy, geothermal industrial applications are quite different in nature. They are more controversial and involve drilling deep into the earth around ecologically sensitive areas such as the African Rift Valley. For more on this topic refer to: Ontario Ministry of Energy (mei.gov.on.ca/en/energy/renewable), Canadian GeoExchange™ Coalition (geo-exchange.ca), Earth Energy Society of Canada (earthenergy.ca/), & Ontario Geomthermal Association (ontariogeothermal.ca/oga/).
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page 56. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
It’s a new school year… What now? by Jane Guy School is starting again, with a great flurry of activity in every household where there are children. New backpacks, coloured pencils, pens, binders, lunch boxes…. all are on the shopping lists of children, who are generally very eager to begin a new school year. Once that shopping is completed and everything is neatly stowed in the backpack, you might stand back and consider… what next? How can I encourage my child to do their very best this year? What might help them to make a difference? Consider creating a special homework space for your child at home. Few children do their best work with a myriad of distractions. Most need a calm, quiet place. Some children do fine working on their own, others need a parent close by, for assistance in interpreting teacher’s instructions. Take a good look at your child’s learning & studying style to see what will work best. Homework spaces often are in a child’s bedroom. Providing a desk with task chair and good lighting for book work is money well spent. For older children, internet access is likely essential too, as their work may well be entirely done using information technology. For younger children, a study space near where a parent is also quietly working or reading, can be an excellent idea. When a child needs help, the parent is nearby and can offer timely assistance and encouragement. Whatever homework space solution you work out for your child, don’t forget, after the homework is finished, to continue your family time with playtime together, perhaps a board game, and certainly reading together before bed. Even after your children have learned to read, continuing to read to them from books more difficult than they can manage themselves is really important. The magic between the pages is ongoing, and encouraging children to progress is vital to their eventual success.
ButterflyCakebox because life is meant to be sweet
Jackie Thompson
12719 Winston Churchill Blvd. Caledon ON L7C 1S3
905.877.8466 jackie@butterflycakebox.com
www.butterflycakebox.com
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 57
Helping pets deal with thunderstorms by Dr. David Kirkham, DVM Behavioural issues in dogs and cats can be tricky to eliminate, often lacking a quick fix solution. Fear of thunderstorms is a common problem. Dogs with thunderstorm phobias range from ones that won’t leave their owners’ sides to ones that are highly destructive to themselves and the house during a
storm. Most dogs demonstrate hiding, barking or house soiling during the light and sound show and the vast majority of these dogs have some degree of concurrent separation anxiety. This may seem like an odd time of year to dispense thunderstorm advice. However, the training for the next thunderstorm season should begin now. The primary goal should be to have your pet associate thunderstorms with something positive. To start, find a toy, activity or treat that your pet loves (my dog, Quillow, has her squeaky football). The idea is to build up a routine over the winter so they enjoy focusing on the activity rather than the storm. There are CDs available and computer programs that simulate the noise of a thunderstorm. Once the activity is established, have the thunder program running very softly in the background
and gradually increase the volume over time as the dog becomes accustomed to it. There are other adjunct items such as animal shirts and jackets designed for this particular phobia. Anecdotally, I have recently had clients reporting success with this treatment modality. They work on the theory that a swaddled animal feels a degree of comfort when wrapped. Let your veterinarian know if you are having trouble with thunderstorms. There are certainly some cases where training alone will not produce sufficient, if any, results. In such cases there are medications that can be used to try to break the anxiety cycle but these are to be used in addition to, rather than in lieu of training.
page 58. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Tranquility of purpose at N.H.D. Stables by Yevgenia Casale The crisp early morning sun was just warm enough. The air around us was pregnant with the kind of calm that only exists before a major downpour. We all knew the rain was coming. The weather reports had been ominously predicting it for days. For now, it was barely a drizzle and definitely not enough to miss the opportunity to watch Norm Dunstan do time trials on one of his standardbred horses, Lexis Noah. For me, it was a rare opportunity to see the day-to-day workings of a stable. I stood marvelling as Lexis Amigo calmly allowed himself to be shoed: first one nail, then the next, until all four were firmly attached. Three or four seven week-old kittens lazily weaved in and out between his legs and visited with the other standardbreds and each other, occasionally curling up and relaxing in some cozy corner. Chopper, the stable’s dog, kept coming up and wanting to be petted. When the shoeing was complete, I watched in stunned disbelief as Lexis Amigo flexed his legs back and forth, testing out and inspecting the work. In that instant the fact that he is a horse was forgotten and all I could see was a professional athlete, like any other. Over the past two years, he brought in
tear apart at any second. Noah, named after one of Norm’s grandsons, pulled in $230,000 last year and is Shauna’s ‘baby’.
$135,000 in racing purses. His mother, Lexis Hall, generated lifetime earnings of $248,000. For Norm it was an average day. For me it was like standing in the middle of a dream world. I watched Chopper stroll up to Lexis Titan and chat with him. It was not just a woof and a neigh. It was a conversation: back and forth as the kittens sat idly by and meandered about. When I went outside to take a few photos of the three friends in the paddock, Chopper came in tow, curious as to where I was going. I asked him to pose. So, he did. Then Snowball, the cat, came up and asked Chopper something (probably wondering who I was), got his answer and moved on. Back at the stable I watched Shauna, the stable’s groom, prepare Lexis Noah for his time trials, finishing off with a kiss on the nose before leading him out in to the beautiful daylight. The skies still threatened to
Each time Norm jogged him around the track Noah gallantly bowed his head to Shauna as he passed in front of her. But once turned raceway, it was all business. Head straight ahead and tail held straight, parallel with the smooth lines of his back. “Not every horse will do that. He knows his job and gets a real kick out of racing,” says Shauna as she sits with me and fills in the details of what we are watching. Racing is a lucrative business. The North American Cup, held at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack, is the biggest race in Canada, with a purse of $1.5 million. But it is definitely an expensive sport, as well. Though horses can live between 30 to 35 years, their racing careers are typically over by the time they are five, six, or seven. The earliest you’ll race a horse is at two years of age. They can race until age thirteen but usually stop at their peak to avoid ruining their track records. For Norm, who breeds his own horses, on one hand it is a two year investment before seeing any sort of return, and sometimes there may not be one at all. “Keeping high performance athletes healthy is a tricky game,” he says. On the other hand it’s like a perpetual cycle of
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 59
At Norm and Helen Dunstan’s Stables the feeling of family permeates everything they do.
raising children, loving them and then letting them out into the real world. Once their racing careers are over the horses might be syndicated for breeding, given away, sold, or kept as pets. Depending on the situation, N H D Stables might do any one of those things. Having a horse stand stud can be a substantial source of revenue but due to the associated maintenance costs this is usually done through syndication. I was surprised to learn that Norm would rather just give the horses away to a good home but, again, considering how much money it takes to keep a horse that isn’t bringing in revenue, this makes perfect sense. Norm is there for the good times and the bad. He nurses them back to health when they qualify for seven stake races and then miss three of those due to a particularly painful cracked rib or enlarged ovary. These are his children. “I’d hate to see them go for meat,” he says. Retired standardbreds tend to be very quiet, calm animals. In their racing years they are never saddled, always pulling a bike in behind. However, they can be easily trained for riding, in the right hands.
The OPP use them to sniff out drugs in fields, preferring standardbred horses because they can be taken out on the road without being afraid of cars. The Amish and Mennonite find use for them in pulling wagons. There are companies in Ontario that buy horses for $1,500 and send them down to Ohio where there is a large Amish community. However, Norm likes to support local when possible.
Norm currently has two former champions, Mikey and SOS, whom he has been keeping as pets. Recently, he and his wife, Helen, decided that it is time to find a new home for them, as well ... free to the right place and people. That’s one thing I took away with me that morning: This deep feeling of peace and simplicity from being amongst living, breathing creatures who all work hard, have purpose
and deep, genuine affection for those around them. It’s hard to explain it without sounding contrived, so please forgive me for not being able to come up with the right words to do it justice: it was spiritual and self-affirming. As I was leaving, the skies finally opened up with the sort of rain that
the grass really needed. By then, the grandkids had woken up, enjoyed their breakfast with Helen, and come down to the stable to say ‘hello’ to the horses. I felt honoured for having been welcomed for a few hours into this home and wanted nothing more than to go back to mine.
Two standardbreds. Free to a good home. Contact 905.838.3462
page 60. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Headwaters Arts honouring Petersons’ love of local talent by Dan Pelton
David & Shelley Peterson at Fox Ridge
They have enjoyed nation-wide popularity as a lawyer/ politician and actress/novelist respectively. On September 9th, David and Shelley Peterson will be honored for their joint role as leaders of the Headwaters arts community. The Peterson Art Ball will support Headwaters Arts, as well as pay tribute to the Petersons, and will be hosted by noted Canadian actors Mag Ruffman and Patrick McKenna. The evening also includes a performance by members of the Canadian National Dance Team, a Gourmet Dinner Under The Stars including wine, a unique fashion and art show auction and a special intimate performance by Dan Hill, best known for the song Sometimes When We Touch, and an announcement of the Shelley Peterson Youth Literary Scholarship Award.
H
e may have been the premier that saw his Liberal party swept from power in the 1990 Ontario election, but David Peterson remains influential among the province’s power elite. He is chair of the Bay Street law firm Cassels, Brock & Blackwell LLP, has the ear of politicians of all stripes and retains prominence in the business community. Along with wife Shelley, he is also a strong advocate of the province’s arts, culture and heritage.
Yet, for all his apparent influence and prestige, Peterson appeared to be genuinely surprised and humbled by the Headwaters tribute. “I haven’t done anything special,” he said in an interview. “My wife has certainly been more involved than I. If we can help with the arts, we’re happy to do so, not that I’m worthy of any recognition.”
A
n accomplished screen and stage actor, Shelley Peterson is also a published author and editor of books for children and young adults. Her titles include Dancer, Abby Malone, Stagestruck, Sundancer, and Mystery at Saddle Creek. Coming soon is Dark Days at Saddle Creek. She has also lent her voice and time to the arts in the Headwaters area on several occasions. Recently, she appeared at the BookLore bookstore in Orangeville to help promote both her latest novel – Mystery at Saddle Creek – as well as Independents Day, a celebration of the independent bookstore. “The independent bookstore is just better,” Ms. Peterson said at the time. “It’s more personal towards its authors.” While many fret about a world that is becoming more and more illiterate, she suggested the opposite could be true, because more and more kids are texting and, therefore, reading.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 61
“And books certainly do have a future. With a book, you don’t have to worry about your battery running out and it doesn’t break when you drop it.” It appears both the Petersons are motivated by their surroundings. Since they operate Fox Ridge, a horse farm in the Caledon Hills, it should hardly be surprising that many of Shelley Peterson’s novels are based around equestrian and horsemanship themes. David Peterson is also supportive of how the area maintains its heritage, as well as a thriving arts community. “There are so many interesting and enterprising people here,” he says. “I love seeing small towns being preserved like they are. You can always build a new mall, but you can’t build an old building.”
F
or its part, Headwaters Arts initiates collaborative marketing efforts to better promote and develop local arts & artists both within and outside the community.
Some of the ways this is done include an annual multi-site arts festival, coordinating Youth Day Tours and workshops with arts professionals. Headwaters Arts also started a Youth Scholarship Programme for dance, theatre, film, music, literary and visual arts. The Caledon Councillors raised $40,000 at their annual golf tournament to help launch this initiative. In 2010, the Headwaters Arts Festival took place over 17 days with 46 individual event opportunities located throughout the Hills of Headwaters region. These activities were held in 28 locations and involved more than 300 visual artists, musicians and authors, as well as performers and crews for theatrical productions. To accomplish this, Headwaters Arts partnered with dozens of arts and other not-for-profit arts organizations. In 2010, they were pleased to welcome 25 private sector businesses as festival event hosts and sponsors. “This years’ 2011 festival promises to be better than ever” said Wayne Baguley, President of Headwaters Arts. HAF2011 runs September 22-October 10 and includes a juried art show & sale; opening gala night; Armchairs, Authors & Art; art events & workshops; Shining Stars Competition; Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit; open studios; and Kids’Fest. For more information on this year’s events, visit www.headwatersartsfestival.com or call 519-943-1149. As government funding becomes scarce, David Peterson is encouraged that the role of the private sector in the arts is increasing. “A lot of people are stepping up to the plate,” he notes. “The arts lend a certain civility to society, but they can also be an economic engine.” For further information and to purchase tickets for the Peterson Art Ball visit www. headwatersartsfestival.com or call 519-943-1149.
page 62. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Salamander plus Belfountain equals family fun by David Jobe Visit the beautiful hamlet of Belfountain on Saturday, October 1st, from 10 am to 3 pm, for the Annual Salamander Festival!
potatoes, and Belfountain Blue squash soup, too. It’s great small town Caledon-community fun.
Each Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Belfountain Community Organization (BCO) and Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) cosponsor the Salamander Festival in the Hamlet Centre and the Conservation Area.
of the rubber stamp). It was his family’s summer home; with lots of follies to explore, scenic trails to hike and incredible vistas to enjoy. You can even get a voucher for free admission to the Conservation Area by visiting the CVC booth in the Hamlet. Now that’s a deal!
This year we are beginning fundraising for a series of interpretive plaques to be located throughout the Hamlet of Belfountain. These plaques This year’s festival promises to will describe the fragile ecology be as wonderful as ever, with lots Jefferson Salamander: Mother Nature’s Frankenstein and of the area, its rich history, the of interesting vendors selling Belfountain’s favourite amphibian. many varieties of flora and all sorts of fantastic eats, treats fauna, including the Jefferson and useful stuff; kids activities galore; In the Conservation Area I have news Salamander after which the festival an incredible silent auction; eclectic is named, the area’s trail network and of an attraction featuring winged (and very good) local entertainment; natural features such as the Niagara creatures - it’ll be exciting for sure. If and best of all, the food - a breakfast Escarpment and the Credit River. you haven’t been to the Belfountain pita of scrambled eggs and sausage Conservation Area, it’s an attraction So come on out and join us ON and then a BBQ lunch of local on its own and the former estate of a October 1st, we look forward to burgers made from bison and beef wealthy Toronto industrialist (inventor raised just around the corner, baked seeing you in Belfountain.
You’re Invited to the annual Fireman’s Ball by Chuck Mills On October 22, 2011 the people who know how to heat things up best invite you to boogie the night away at the annual HALLOWE’EN DANCE. The Caledon Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their annual fundraising tradition. Costumes are welcome. Everybody 19 years of age and older is invited to join in raising money for a new Educational Fire Safety Trailer. Tickets are available in advance or at the door, $15 per person or $30 per couple. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cash bar. Door prizes. Silent auction. Light lunch will be served at 11:30 p.m. Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd. (located at the corner of Old School Rd. and Heart Lake Rd.). Parking is free. For more contact: 905-838-9962 or 905-838-3264. Event put on by Town of Caledon Fire & Emergency Services Station 304 - Cheltenham Station 305 - Inglewood Station 307 - Snelgrove
Doing something special? SouthFields Village Voice readers want to know about it. Send us your community updates! Deadline for next issue is November 1st. Submit to: info@southfieldsvillagevoice.com
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 63
Residual benefits of supporting a cause It is said that, in Caledon, if you want to have something to do every weekend there is no shortage of ways to spend your time and money, with an abundance of charitable fundraisers to attend. Earlier this year, SouthFields Village Voice hosted the Caledon Butterfly Gala, benefitting Wellspring Chinguacousy Cancer Support Centre. Shortly after we set the date, four other high-profile functions were announced for either the same night or a week later. If you want to do some good, there is almost never a perfect date to pick. Still, we had a very successful evening, fabulously catered by Village Bistro, and a great turnout, raising $2,660 toward Wellspring. Not long after, It’s Roxies and The Ascot Room joined forces to hold a fundraising fashion event in support of Hospice Caledon Bethell House, packing the hall at the Caledon Golf & Country Club and raising $3,427. The key note address was presented by Margaret Wallis Duffy spoke about not letting fears and inhibitions prevent the realization of personal goals. To illustrate the point and surprising even herself, she said: “You know what? I’m
going to do it! I pledge $100 to jump out of a plane in support of Bethell House. Who’s with me?” Michele Skawski and Roxanne Mountain, the evening’s MC and host, were among the first to respond to the challenge by pledging an additional $100, each. What started as a lark was realized on July 10th when Margaret, joined by Pat Hickman and Karen McKinney, two staff members from Bethell House, Bailed for Bethell, raising an additional $6,000 and bringing the total raised as a result of the fashion show to almost $10,000. In mid August, Village Bistro contacted SouthFields Village Voice to let us know that one of their patrons, who had regrettably not been able to attend the Butterfly Gala, had written a $1,000 cheque in support of the fundraiser, and increasing the amount raised to $3,660.
community for organizations that bring a tremendous amount of value to our quality of life in Caledon. It may seem like just one night, but the residual effect of supporting a worthwhile cause is tangible. Many organizations would not be able to do what they do without the generous support of the community. Autumn is the busiest time for event activity. Whether you want to support the Headwaters Hospital Gala, the Peterson Art Ball, the Pink Tie Gala, the Firefighters’ Halloween Dance, or something else, there is an option for every interest and budget and every reason to get out there and enjoy yourself.
Organizing and publicizing even one evening is unbelievably time consuming. For the guests, selecting which function to attend can be a daunting task. So much so that it is tempting to just stay home. But these events are often a lot of fun, a chance to network, socialize, and are an essential method of raising money and awareness within the
PumpkinFest a wagon load of fun Few times during the year are as good for building memories as Halloween. Every family should have traditions and, as Toy Story’s Sheriff Woody says: “If you don’t have one, get one!” The fall solstice is more than just for your favorite goblins and ghouls. It’s even more than just getting to pick through their goody bags after they have finally collapsed in bed, exhausted from the excitement of their excursion and too much candy and junk food. Downey’s Farm, a few minutes drive from SouthFields, and just about anywhere else in Caledon, specializes in creating and fostering family traditions. Aside from their award winning fruit wines, Grandma Ruth’s Fudge, farm fresh veggies, free-range turkeys, and delicious pies, Downey’s
has an assortment of goodies for the kids. Around this time of year they go all out with a top notch corn maze, wagon rides, farm animals, a newly augmented play area, and of course the pumpkins! There’s no better place to get this much fun into a day and not even have to travel all that far to get there. For all this, the value is unbelievable. No wonder families keep coming back, year after year. If you haven’t made Downey’s one of your family’s falltime traditions make this the year that you do!
page 64. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Fleeting moments and afterthoughts by Lyn Westfall
“I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree”. ~Joyce Kilmer These were the words that my father Ed often sang to us as he bounced us on his knee and these are the words that came to mind when I took my first ride along Escarpment Sideroad, just at Horseshoe Hill Road, so many years ago. What is it about this dear little tree that I love so much? Could it be its shape, delicately swaying more to one side than the other? Its quiet stance rooted solidly upon the hill? Its unassuming beauty calling out in all seasons? In June, tiny white flowers bloom just around my birthday. When the delicate petals fall to the ground, red-orange berries or haws begin to form. Later these berries fall to the ground providing food for birds and animals. In the fall, the leaves turn a gentle yellow-gold colour. In winter, its intertwining branches and sharp long thorns provide a safe shelter for rabbits, squirrels or small birds from larger prey. But nothing is prettier than visiting this tree after a severe
snowfall where clusters of snow cling to its branches like a white pillow of fluff. I am not the only one who treasures this tree as the owners of the property deliberately sculpted the wooden board fence protectively around it, careful not to disturb the roots, permitting this Hawthorn to remain where it, years ago, stationed itself. Upon research I have discovered that the Hawthorn is a member of the Rose family. As early as the 17th century, its leaves, flowers and berries were seen as having therapeutic and medical properties, chiefly to treat heart disease. It is even thought to be a mildly calming herb that provides clarity of thought while strengthening and nourishing the heart. So why does this particular tree speak to me? It is solitary; it is delicate; it is beautifully shaped in an asymmetrical manner; it is local to Caledon; it certainly is not fancy and in fact often described as a scrub tree.
Perhaps because this Hawthorn, my poem, just ‘is’.
Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 65
Lateral thinking The lines aren’t moving ...
Building Bridges
... it’s just you. * Bridges devised by © Kevin Stone [www.brainbashers.com]
Bridges rules, objectives & summary: • You have a collection of islands, each of which contains a number. • This number shows you how many bridges leave that island. • Connect every island, such that any island can be reached from any other. • A maximum of two bridges can connect two islands together. • Bridges can only go horizontally or vertically and may not cross each other.
Congr à TS! Congratulations to Ginette Armoogan, winner of this summer’s Win à ME! contest, sponsored by Chic à BOOM! Ginette correctly identified that the wine goblets were on page 34. Thank you to everybody for your entries. Check out Chic à BOOM’s Parking Lot Sale on Sat., Sept. 24 (10am - 1pm). Proceeds to Bethell House. Be sure to enter this issue’s contest to win a catered meal for your family this holiday season, care of Broadway Farm’s Market. See page 15 for details.
page 66. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011
Community contacts Community Information..........................................................................................211 Overnight Parking (before 1 a.m.)................................................. 905.584.2272 x4131 Region of Peel..........................................................................................905.791.7800 Waste Management.................................................................................905.791.9499 Water and Water & Wastewater Billing....................................................905.791.8711 Health Line Peel.......................................................................................905.799.7700 Ontario Works..........................................................................................905.793.9200 Town of Caledon.......................................................................................905.584.2272 Regional Councillor, Ward 2, Allan Thompson..........................................416.319.6543 Area Councillor, Ward 2, Gord McClure..................................................... 905.843-9797 Call 9-1-1 for emergency services Caledon Fire (non-emergency)................................................. 905.584.2272 ext. 4303 Caledon OPP Mobile ..................................................................................................*OPP (*677) Caledon East........................................................................................905.584.2241 24-hr Non-emergency/Foot Patrol...................................................1.888.310.1122 Crime Stoppers..................................................................................1.800.222.TIPS Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services.............................................................905.951.3838 Caledon Community Living......................................................................905.857.9691 Caledon Meals on Wheels.........................................................................905.857.7651 Caledon Seniors Council...........................................................................905.584.0591 Caledon Parent-Child Centre....................................................................905.857.0090 Child Development Resource Connection Peel.........................................905.507.9360 Distress Centre Peel..................................................................................905.278.7208 Hospice Caledon.......................................................................................905.951.3534 Herb Campbell Public School...................................................................905-838-3952 Mayfield Secondary School......................................................................905.846.6060 St. Rita Elementary School.......................................................................905.840.3467 Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School..................................................905.584.1670 SouthFields Village Voice ..........................................info@southfieldsvillagevoice.com ...................................................................................................or 905.846.4852
SouthFields Service Directory
If you live in SouthFields, list your business here for free! Contact us for details. Business Services (accounting, bookkeeping, insurance): Sun Life Financial 905.451.7576 ext.208 Robert.Watterson@sunlife.com SW Bookkeeping Services 905.495.7035 SWatroba0413@rogers.com Catering: Dream Desserts 416.456.6807 dreamdesserts@hotmail.com Edible Elegance - Classy & Elegant Cakes and Desserts 416.550.2737 Childcare: First Friends 905.457.8444 www.firstfriendsdaycare.ca Decorating and installation services : GS Design door insert installation & more 647.237.0001 or 416.574.0001 Jacobi Designs 416.206.6829 jacobi-designs@hotmail.com Jorge Palacios Electrician Wiring & Systems 416.821.2407 Pro Aqua Lawn Sprinklers 416.939.9526 Graphic Communication Services: Identifab Industries 416-743-7343 www.identifab.com Olivetree Communications 416-318-7884 olivana@rogers.com PRAS Publishing 905.846.4852 consult@pras.ca Jewelry and gifts: SandKastle Kards 647.680.0729 sandkastle33@hotmail.ca Silpada Jewelery 905.996.0601 (Alia Nasir) 905.996.8796 (Jay Anandraj) Real Estate: RE/MAX Realty Services Inc. 905/416.456.1000 ext.3329 brucebell@trebnet.com RE/MAX Kings Realty Ltd. 647.294.1982 (Savie Wander) Travel: Travelonly 905.846.3684 teresa.hmt@rogers.com
Advertiser listing Advertiser Page Phone #10 Self Storage 32 905.838.1266 The Alton Mill 31 519.941.9300 Antica Osteria Ristorante 46 905.495.5555 The Ascot Room 30 519.927.9787 Brampton Flight Centre 41 905.838.1400 Broadway Farm’s Market 15 905.843.9225 Bruce Bell Re/MAX Realty Services 32 905.456.1000 ext.3329 Butterfly Cakebox 56 905.877.8466 Caledon Community Services 37 905.584.2300 Caledon East Home Bakery Cafe & Catering 49 905.584.5360 Caledon Fireplace Ltd. 40 905.838.1114 Caledon Hills Cycling 19 905.838.1698 Caledon Hills Studio Tour 48 905.880.2029 Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies 14 519.927.3212 Caledon Townhall Players 25 519.927.5460 Carusi Hair Salon 28 905.584.5950 Chalmers Geothermal 54 905.877.5104 Cheltenham General Store 26 905.838.2727 Cheltenham Veterinary Centre 57 905.846.0525 Chic à BOOM 36 519.927.9300 Choice Auto 65 905.838.3450 Credit Creek Country Store 38 519.927.5033 David Tilson, Q.C., M.P. 7 509.857.6080 Downey’s Farm Market 63 905.838.2990 Dufferin Accounting Services 26 519.925.5282 E. Archdekin Plumbing & Heating Ltd. 32 905.451.2244 Electric Garage Sale 32 416.580.6425 Forster’s Book Garden 20 905.951.1501 Freshly Painted 6 905.846.6880 Headliners Hair Design 5 905.838.3767 HLG Homeland Gardening 13 905.565.2410 Inglewood General Store 38 905.838.4386 Interiors by Carolyn 67 416.568.3127 Katerina’s Aartistic Esthetics 3 519.927.3371 Kostynyk Denture Centre 12 905.857.4464 Legacy Home Solutions 67 416.543.5783 Martha’s 27 519.938.8726 Mayfield Dental 9 905.840.0225 Mayfield Pharmacare 42 905.495.3306 Michele Skawski, RRSI Realty Inc. 2 905.838.5012 Moorcroft’s Antiques 36 519.927.9519 NHDunstan Stables 59 905.838.3462 Outback & Co. 31 519.927.3600 Regal Lighting Designs 55 905.702.9000 Riverdale Fitness Mill 18 905.838.3236 Salisbury Garden Supplies 13 905.846.2810 The Scented Drawer 43 519.941.9941 School of Miracles 46 519.927.3387 Spirit Tree Estate Cidery 6 905.838.2530 Sweet Harmony Fashion Boutique 28 905.584.7883 Tall Pines School 56 905.458.6770 Tamerlane Interiors 53 905.838.5182 Tim Forster Caledon Insurance 33 905.838.5183 The Top of the Hill Bed & Breakfast 57 905-838-3790 Torbram Electric Supply 68 905.495.3538 The Treasure Quest 21 519.927.9523 Village Bistro 16 519.927.1919 Wayne Baguley & Gillian Vanderburgh 61 519.941.5151 Zumba with Ivonne 50 905.843.1677 Tutoring: JL Tutoring Home Services 905.996.0277 jlise@rogers.com Professional Private Piano Lessons 647.292.4202
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Autumn 2011 | SouthFields Village Voice. page 67
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page 68. SouthFields Village Voice | Autumn 2011