Country Roads Winter 2012

WINTER 2012/2013

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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4, WINTER 2012/2013

Rolf

Contents

H.D.

The Jeweller Ltd.

• Canadian Diamonds • Pandora Bracelets & Charms • Lampe Berger Air Purifiers • Jewellery Repairs & Appraisals

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16

22

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105 Dundas St. W., Trenton, ON 613.392.3383 www.rolfthejeweller.com

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

8 LARGER THAN LIFE

6 EDITORIAL

Maynooth barn a source of ­scientific wonders

6 CONTRIBUTORS

16 PARADISE FOUND Come visit our Charming shop and see our timeless & beautiful home déCor, furniture, gift items, lampe berger, & toYs

7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Conservation Areas preserve ­nature’s treasure

22 STILL STANDING

21 HASTINGS TASTINGS

Sam the Record Man lives on in Belleville

15 JUST SAYING

Snowing Donuts Winter Classics

26 TELLING TALES

Winter Reads

27 CROSSROADS 28 COUNTRY CALENDAR

Wed- Friday 10-5 Sat - Sun 10-3 22 mill street, stirling 613.395.6510

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

SCAN TO VISIT COUNTRY ROADS WEB SITE FOR CURRENT STORIES, WEB CONTENT, BACK ISSUES, EVENTS LISTINGS, AND MORE.

29 MARKETPLACE 30 BACK ROADS

Lumber Kings

Country Roads

discovering hastings county

Country Roads

discovering hastings county

CR Country

CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR Nancy Hopkins 613 395-0499 CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR John Hopkins 613 395-0499

Roads

discovering hastings county

SALES DEPARTMENT Jennifer Richardson jennifer@countryroadshastings.ca 613 922-2135

Off-Grid Living Solutions

sun at work

• solar systems • propane appliances • wood & gas heating

ART DIRECTOR Jozef VanVeenen

13 years experience

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Orland French Angela Hawn Gary Magwood Lindi Pierce Michelle Annette Tremblay Sarah Vance Shelley Wildgen

Design•sales Installation•service www.downundersolar.ca 613-583-0139

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Len Holmes Jozef VanVeenen HOW TO CONTACT US Telephone: 613 395-0499 Facsimile: 613 395-0903 E-mail: info@countryroadshastings.ca Website: www.countryroadshastings.ca For written enquiries you can reach us at: PenWord Communications Inc. P.O. Box 423, Stirling, ON K0K 3E0 COUNTRY ROADS, Discovering Hasting County is published four times a year by PenWord Communications Inc. Copies are distributed to select locations throughout Hastings County including the ­communities of Bancroft, Belleville, Madoc, Marmora, Stirling and Tweed.

Copies are also delivered to select homes within southern Ontario.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: 1 year: $14.69 2 years: $27.13 3 years: $35.03 All prices include H.S.T.

Celebrating 50+ years in

Beautiful Comfort Country!

Your One Source for Home Decor & Gifts for Every Occasion

The contents of this publication are ­protected by copyright. Reproduction of this ­publication in whole or in part without prior written permission of PenWord ­Communications Inc. is prohibited.

The advertising deadline for the Spring 2013 issue is February 22, 2013.

COVER PHOTO: Photo by Len Holmes Made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation

37 Durham St., P.O.B. 6 29, Madoc, Ont. Ont. Phone/Fax: 613-473-2368 37 Durham St., P.O.B. 629, Madoc, Phone/Fax: 613-473-2368

Tues. to Sat. 9:00 am to 5:30 pm www.wilsonsofmadoc.com

Welcome to Comfort Country Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

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e d i t o r i a l

Freeman’s Winemaking Shop

Photo: Haley Ashford

Statistics concerning Hastings County came to our attention recently. We believe they tell a story; the story of this community and the people that are part of it.

Two in particular stood out: – employment in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors has increased by almost 57% since 2001.

– there are 172 more businesses operating in Hastings County this year than there were in 2010 and that doesn’t include Quinte West and Belleville.

Hmm! Very interesting! Put them together and what do you get? Well, kind of a synopsis of this issue of COUNTRY ROADS. The work of Maynooth artist, sculpture, taxidermist Kevin Hockley will blow your mind. What we wouldn’t have paid to see his gigantic Titanoboa snake model travelling on an open trailer through the Hastings Highlands. But alas our story will have to suffice.

Sam the Record Man Belleville isn’t a new business. They’ve been here since 1979 but are now ‘The Last Sam Standing’. What a wonderful accomplishment. We are so grateful they’re here to support music for all who visit their Quinte Mall store.

The outstanding recreational spaces around us are preserved and protected by regional conservation authorities. Visit the terrain they watch and you will know why the land that is Hastings County is not only big but beautiful.

And speaking of the arts, IANA Theatre is a home grown troupe that has much to offer for future audiences. More arts, the homestead of poet Al Purdy has been preserved.

This being our Winter issue we must give a well deserved nod to the 35th presentation of the Marmora SnoFest. Let it snow, let it snow …

So, it looks like the stats don’t lie. We are alive with arts, entertainment, recreation and a stable of very admirable entrepreneurs. Aren’t we lucky!

•

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

Nancy & John Hopkins contributors Angela Hawn thanks her lucky stars for landing in Hastings County after years of an ‘on the road’ lifestyle teaching ESL in Asia, Europe and the Canadian Arctic. Although she loves to travel, some chance meetings here with a few people in the publishing business finally allowed her to put to use a few things learned long ago at Carleton University’s journalism school.

When not writing or travelling, Angela enjoys the inspiration and humour consistently delivered by the nine- and 10-year-olds seen in her day job as an elementary school teacher.

Her dream job? Why, travel writer, of course. Interested parties take note: for the right assignment, she’d work cheap. Closer to home, Angela seeks editorial advice and often, just plain old validation, from fellow travelling companions, husband, Mike, and their two incredible daughters, Maddie and Isobel.

Lindi Pierce, of Prince Edward County UEL stock, enjoyed life in Vancouver, Grand Forks, BC and North Bay before settling on Hastings County as her adoptive home.

Lindi compensates for her deficits in local history by volunteer work at Glanmore National Historic Site and at the Community Archives of Hastings County. She indulges her passion for heritage architecture with her blog at ancestralroofs.blogspot.ca and by writing and photographing for ‘Country Roads’, Hastings County Historical Society’s ‘Outlook’ and other local publications.

In her spare time, this nature-nut joins her husband Denis, a vintage motorcycle frame designer/builder, on their camping, hiking and cycling expeditions, always on the lookout for another good house to snap.

Sarah Vance is a member of the Board of Directors for the Art Gallery of Bancroft and an active supporter of the Bancroft & Hastings Highlands Blues and Jazz Festival. She is an elementary teacher with the Hastings Prince Edward School Board and a member of the York River Public School Council, in Bancroft, where she works and where her children study. Sarah and her husband live in L’Amable, with their three children.

With over twenty-five years experience in graphic design, Joe VanVeenen has garnered an impressive portfolio of achievements in his field. In addition to Country Roads, Joe is the Art Director for three other quarterly, national and international publications. His creativity and flair are evident in the design awards he has won. Passionate about his work, Joe always endeavours to ensure that his design makes for a visual and pleasurable reading experience.

letters to the editor

Cooney

Dear Country Roads As always, we thoroughly enjoyed the latest edition of Country Roads. The article on The Tweed News (Aging Gracefully, Fall 2012) particularly caught our attention as it reminded us of how much we appreciate our own local paper.

Independently owned since it was established in 1894, The Bancroft Times has served the community under that single name for 118 years.

Owners Dave & Dean Walker are third generation at The Times, having started in the 1960s. In this era of “enormous, multi-paper conglomerates” moving into every market, it is heartening to see the independents still contributing to their communities.

With a subscription price of less than the cost of a donut per week, we are always surprised that not everyone supports an institution that would be sorely missed after more than a century of service, especially considering the emphasis placed on our local history and heritage these days.

In another seven years we hope to see both The Bancroft Times and Country Roads still going strong. Perhaps we’ll even see a story on another milestone, this time celebrating the 125th anniversary of our own paper here ‘north of 7’.

Dear Country Roads I especially enjoyed Michelle Annette Tremblay’s article All Aboard! about the restoration of the Bancroft Train Station.

The photo “Way Bills 1938” was impressive.

The article would be a great addition to the historical archives of the Bancroft Train Station.

Dear Country Roads I love your magazine. I was reading the fall issue last night before bed...nice pictures, great stories, and makes you want to live forever in North Hastings...or move here like I did!

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Gary & Lillian Pattison Ormsby

Moxie, Revival Gallery Bancroft

Family Owned & Operated

Dear Country Roads I was very pleased to read the article on the restoration and long term development of the CN station at Bancroft (All Aboard!, Fall 2012).

As a young brakeman on the mixed train from Trenton to Bancroft one December evening, in the midst of a light snowfall, looking at the brightly lit and decorated town it was as beautiful as any Christmas card.

On those few occasions I had to work on that train I enjoyed the trip.

Thanks for a very well written and attractive story.

Dear Country Roads I read for the very first time the Fall 2012 edition of Country Roads and was pleasantly surprised with the whole magazine from front to back cover.

It was tremendously interesting and I would like to sign up for a one-year subscription.

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Sharon Misener Bancroft Dear Country Roads What a great addition Lindi Pierce is to your contributors! She’s knowledgeable and passionate about heritage architecture and she has the most engaging and pleasing writing style.

Hope to see many more articles from her.

Brenda Skinner Madoc

101 front st. belleville 613.966.4200

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Larger than life Maynooth barn a source of scientific wonders

BY SARAH VANCE PHOTOS COURTESY SARAH VANCE AND HOCKLEY STUDIOS

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

There are some experiences that are characterized as “once-in-a-lifetime.” They defy our understanding and require that we re-visit what we know.

(Facing page) Life size Titanoboa on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. (Above) Hockley Studios has been commissioned to make another Titanoboa for Science North, in Sudbury. This one is designed to be a crawl-through providing an up close and personal look at the anatomy of the snake. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2013.

D

r. Jonathon Bloch, a paleontologist with the Smithsonian Institute of Tropical Research, describes his role in discovering the world’s largest snake as “definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event.”

In May 2012, when I accepted an assignment to photograph the unveiling of the deadly Titanoboa replica in New York’s Grand Central Station, I felt as if I was embarking on an experience of this kind.

The Titanoboa that would be put on display was a synthetic model fabricated by Hockley Studios, located in Maynooth, as a commission project for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The unveiling was being launched in conjunction with the documentary, ‘Titanoboa: Monster Snake,’ produced by the Smithsonian Channel and which is now available for viewing

by the Canadian public on the History Channel.

During my assignment, I would document Kevin Hockley as he worked alongside a production company to stage and assemble the replica that he constructed from a simple prehistoric vertebra fossil.

While once-in-a-lifetime experiences are fantastical, they are not improbable, and it is a series of accomplishments that culminate towards their end. Jorge Moreno-Bernal, the intern who found the Titanoboa vertebra fossil in Cerrejón, Columbia, was not in the region by chance. Cerrejon, a desert outback and coal mining town, is the place to be if you are a paleontologist. It’s a hub of discovery because it contains the largest fossil deposit known on our planet and it is the only ancient tropical ecosystem that time has preserved.

Bernal was working in partnership with the University of Florida, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Together this team, led by Dr. Bloch, Associate Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at Florida, and Dr. Jason Head, a professor at Nebraska-Lincoln University, would discover the paleontologist’s equivalent of a “holy grail.” This discovery was built upon a foundation of expertise and it was made by some of North America’s most pre-eminent leaders in paleontology.

Titanoboa was controversial from the outset.

And it would take the Smithsonian team the better part of three years to mathematically define its proportions and to conceptualize the habitat required to support it.

Just how big is Titanoboa? As wide as a door frame and longer than a New York City bus, this

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

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Hockley describes Titanoboa as an “artist’s dream” and, like the fossil discovery in Columbia, it was a culmination of achievements and his established position in the field that made Hockley a “natural choice” for this assignment. snake could weigh upwards America with a cultural arof one and a half tonnes. It chive that is both comprecould open its mouth 180 hensive and fantastical. degrees to take down and Operating from rural swallow prey the size of Hastings Highlands has a Harley-Davidson. And never been an obstacle for that’s just the juvenile diHockley. mensions.

“Work just comes to us,” After defining its maghe says. “I maintain a comnitude, the Smithsonian’s prehensive portfolio on my next step would be to bring website (www.hockleystuTitanoboa to life for the dios.ca) and since our clipublic. A designer with ent base is international, the expertise to develop a location has never been model of this snake would an issue. Many of our supbe essential. The anatomy pliers are located in urban would need to be comprised centres so it is necessary to of six separate interlocking anticipate our needs well in structures that behaved like advance and to stock up as pieces of a massive threenecessary.” dimensional puzzle. This The Municipality of was necessary because Hastings Highlands, where the Titanoboa would be a Hockley Studios operates, mobile exhibit travelling is a hub of creative and to destinations across the cultural economies. The United States. So the repliarts are at the essence of Dr. Jonathon Bloch (l) of the Smithsonian Institute and Dr. Jason Head (r) from Nebraska-Lincoln University ca needed a design that was this region and interwoven led the team that discovered the Titanoboa vertebra fossil. streamlined, transportable into its landscape. In the They are joined by Kevin Hockley as they get their first look at the finished model. and able to be assembled 1930’s artists such as A.J. and deconstructed by difCasson, A.Y. Jackson and ferent on-site crews. It had David Milne situated the to be as tough as nails, and above all, it had to Hockley describes Titanoboa as an “artist’s Highlands culturally in some of their most celbe terrifying. It would require six crates and two dream” and, like the fossil discovery in Columebrated paintings. Artists like Hockley continue 18-wheeler trucks to transport it. This was not a bia, it was a culmination of achievements and his to put it on the map. Spread out over 500km task for an amateur. This was a job for the best established position in the field that made Hockbetween Bancroft and Algonquin Park, Hastings of the best. ley a “natural choice” for this assignment. SpeHighlands is a habitat of painters, weavers, potSo where does one find an artist with the talents cializing in wildlife themes, Hockley Studios has ters, sculptors, musicians and writers. Hockley for this task? Reputation goes a long way and, for fabricated many of the models, dioramas, habioften requires large teams of people to complete the Smithsonian team, the recruitment process tats and ecosystem replicas that comprise perhis projects and working with local artists is was a simple one. They went to Hockley Studios. manent collections in institutions across North how he gets the job done. Creative by nature, Located on the Hass Road, in the Hastings America. With over 30 years in the business, 12 it is not a coincidence that Hockley Studios is Highlands between Maynooth and Lake St. Peas a Senior Taxidermist with the Royal Ontario set amidst festivals, farmers markets and the ter, Hockley Studios is known internationally Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Hockley’s instalperforming arts. Hockley’s work is inseparable as a source for natural history exhibit fabricalations set the standard for cultural and natural from his environment, and as paleontologists tions and wildlife sculptures. Charles Poe of the history representations. The “larger than life” flock to Cerrejone, so Hockley finds a muse in Smithsonian Channel has been quoted as sayreplicas that Poe refers to include synthetic modthe Highlands. ing, “Kevin seemed like a natural choice. He els of a giant spider crab and a squid that loom Hockley came to the region in 1990 when he was had experience making museum-quality replicas, over spectators from the ceiling of the ROM’s seconded from the Royal Ontario Museum to build and even more important, he’d created some that Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. the permanent collection at a newly built Visitors’ seem larger than life. When you’re recreating the Hockley dreams big. He has a repertoire of Centre in Algonquin Park. While he was working largest snake in world history it helps to have a skills in his trade and an impeccable curriculum on this project Hockley stayed in staff housing, near background in the fantastical.” vitae. More importantly, he has provided North the East Gate of the Park in Whitney.

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

Photos clockwise from top left: Hockley seated inside his creation during taping of the Smithsonian documentary at his barn in Maynooth; Hockley’s right hand person Kelly Ohlschlager helping to carve the Titanoboa model; Hockley promotes the ‘Titanoboa: Monster Snake,’ documentary in New York City; with the help of a large team Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall was transformed into a prehistoric habitat, and the 48-foot replica was assembled; an image from the making of ‘Titanoboa: Monster Snake,’ which can be seen on the History Channel.

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

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I landed at New York City’s LaGuardia airport at 1:30am with just enough time to make my way through security and take a taxi to 42nd Street.

Algonquin Park is also form Vanderbilt Hall into a where Kevin met his wife prehistoric habitat, and to Sharon and where she conassemble the 48-foot replitinues her work today as ca against the backdrop of a manager at the Friends the New York City morning of Algonquin Park Book commute.

Store. Together Kevin and I arrived at Grand CenSharon provide leadership tral Station to find pasin the community, worksage onto 42nd Street aling closely with school most completely blocked councils, the Maynooth by 18-wheelers. At the rear Business Association, the of one transport a group of North Hastings Communi10 men, five on each side, ty Fish Hatchery, the Onwere locked in an embrace tario Stewardship Council with a crate in an attempt and as the organizers of the to hoist it out of the cabin.

Maynooth Team Penning The sidewalk was a mess Competition. of synthetic trees, plant It is not easy to pinpoint replicas, stage footings and whether Hockley is a scitelevision monitors. New entist, an artist, a sculptor York City canine units navor a taxidermist, as all of igated through the activithese disciplines are at play ties opening and inspecting in his work. Hockley is a the trucks. Inside Vanderquiet man who understates bilt Hall the pace was movhis accomplishments.

This Mastodon sculpted from styrofoam with synthetic fur can be found at the Indiana State Museum. ing at double time. There When I asked him to was motion and flashes of discuss how he develops a light from every direction. project from the idea stage Scaffolding reached the to the point of installation, height of the 40-foot ceiling and lined the pehe had a unique way of deflating my question engaging to the public is not easy. How do murimeter of the 12,000 square-foot room. Above like an elephant. seums get the everyday man to walk inside their my head, teams of electricians were installing “Napkin doodles!” he exclaimed. “That’s how doors and invest in cultural heritage? projection monitors and track lighting, alongside most masterpieces begin. Many of my artistic The Smithsonian answered that question by five gold chandeliers that illuminated the hall. In concepts are developed over coffee and conversaplacing the museum at the hub of one of the the centre of the room a stage was being built. tion. I’m conducting a lot of meetings by Skype busiest consumer centres in the world -- Grand I looked around for Hockley and found him lately, but a pencil is the quickest device for deCentral Station, New York City. This was a gutsy standing inside a giant crate lifting out pieces of scribing an idea as it unfolds”. and an expensive move, which would cost over the Titanoboa model.

But there is a notable difference between “a $25,000 for the two-day rental of Vanderbilt “Look!” a voice exclaimed. “It’s the tail!” napkin doodle” and a 48-foot prehistoric model.

Hall alone. With over 500,000 people streaming A hush fell over the crowd followed by whisAnd it doesn’t take an artist to know that. through its doors every day, Grand Central was pers of confusion, as another technician ex“But what do you do with the napkin after you also a strategic target for situating one of bigclaimed, “No, it’s the head. There’s a crocodile have finished doodling on it?” I asked. gest scientific discoveries of our time. It doesn’t inside its mouth!”

He paused for a moment, and then he looked get any more central than Grand Central, and it “That’s gruesome,” added an on-looker. me straight in the eyes and said, “I wipe my doesn’t get any bigger than Titanoboa.

Only one of six crates was opened and already runny nose with it!”

I landed at New York City’s LaGuardia airfear head been instilled.

While Hockley has no problems building his port at 1:30am with just enough time to make The first time I saw the Titanoboa model was industry out of the Highlands, he acknowledges my way through security and take a taxi to 42nd at the Army, Navy Air Force barn in Maynooth, that, “location is one of the greatest challenges Street. The installation was scheduled to begin at a facility a quarter the size of Vanderbilt Hall. faced by museums.” The task of situating cul3:00am, which would leave Hockley and the proHockley had transported the structure from his tural legacies in a manner that is barrier-less and duction company a meagre three hours to trans-

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

Hockley Studios creates a wide variety of natural history exhibits and sculptures.

Clockwise from top left: This Poison Arrow Frog, the size of a Labrador retriever, resides at the Toronto Metropolitan Zoo where kids can climb over him; another reconstruction of a prehistoric creature is the Puijila –which looks like an otter but is its prehistoric ancestor which can be found at the Canadian Museum of Nature; this life size Caribou – cast in bronze lives outside the visitor centre at Lake Superior Provincial Park; this taxidermy mount of a Caribou calf was done for the Ministry of Natural Resources; fiberglass was used to sculpt this horse which is part of a display at the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon; Hockley works on one of four life size soldiers that have been deployed to Fort Henry in Kingston.

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 13

Now a mobile exhibit circulating with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Hockley’s model makes it permissible to rethink our understanding of a species.

studio in Lake St. Peter to the MayService (SITES), Hockley’s model nooth Barn on an open trailer. While makes it permissible to rethink our he was transporting the replica in order understanding of a species. It is also to develop promotional materials for allowing the Smithsonian to place the Smithsonian, Hockley acknowledgscientific discovery at the foreground es that, for an on looker, “just seeing of commerce and along international a monster snake strapped to a trailer stages. would create a rural legend.” Gauging Success stories travel quickly, and from the reactions from the technicians, within weeks of returning from New it was apparent that Titanoboa was as York I received a telephone call from terrifying in Grand Central as it was at Hockley. the Maynooth Barn.

“There is a second Titanoboa modIt was now just a few hours before the el in the works,” he announced. “This unveiling, and the pressure was on. Titime it is a commission project for Scitanoboa was unpacked and Hockley was ence North and the Science of Ripley’s placing interlocking pieces on the stage.

Believe it or Not.” He worked behind the veil of curtains, Like any professional at the top of while the production company created This 28 foot long squid hangs in the Royal Ontario Museum’s Schad Gallery of Biodiver- his game, Hockley has no need to elea diorama around him. Within an hour sity in Toronto. The styrofoam core is covered with fiberglass. Halved grapes and cherry vate his accomplishments. He has capHockley had assembled his monster tomatoes were used to cast the tentacle-like suckers. italized on his region and developed snake, with its colossal form sprawling it into his unique and personal brand. in a prehistoric climate from 60,000,000 As he creates a second Titanoboa for years ago. A video screen projected scenes from global media, Titanoboa managed to stop it in Science North, and a third for the Smithsonian the documentary and cast a range of shadows and its tracks. By 10:00am headlines in the HuffingInstitute of Tropical Research, it is apparent that noises through this strange ecosystem. ton Post read, “Massive Snake invades Grand Hockley is not only the beneficiary of once-inThere are few entities brave enough to get in Central.” a-lifetime experiences, he is also in the business the middle of the New York City commute. But, Now a mobile exhibit circulating with the of making them. backed by research, scientists, and in front of a Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition If you can envision it, he can create it.

•

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

JUST SAYING

BY SHELLEY WILDGEN

A few years ago, I happened upon a heartwarming story in a magazine. First, there was a picture of a golden beignet. Tasty, fried beignets were brought to Louisiana by French colonists... but dough-lore aside, the magazine piece was really about a fantastic, impromptu party.

In the story, the hostess greeted winter by serving hot chocolate and beignets on the day of the first snowfall. No invitations were sent.

She simply let her neighbours and friends know of her plans. When the first flakes appeared, they’d all bustle to her house for a time of fellowship and the aforementioned decadent snack. Think of it. That snowfall could occur at any time and when it started, the hostess would start her wintry party. Oh, what a sense of community and coziness it evoked. How many similar scenes had I envisioned while devouring my plethora of home decorating magazines!

Truth is, I have been imitating the lives of others forever. I’d target a walk, a talk -the cadence of someone’s voice. My mother would cringe as I’d sachet over to the stove in hand-me-down slingbacks and ask ‘mama’ what was for ‘tea’, a la my friend Colleen’s eccentric sister, Beverly; or obsessively encase my school projects in a shiny veneer of scotch tape while donning a too high hairband over my too high forehead, trying to duplicate the grade four style of Heather J. She wore very unbecoming zipper up stretchy jumpsuits but her efficiency and shiny cover pages filled me with wonder and determination.

As an adult this aping has moved into my home décor. I see it or read it and try to create the exact same mood in my own house. A peculiarity, at the very least, but it’s real and sometimes happy accidents occur as a result.

So, with years of successful copycat ventures to draw from, my first Snowfall Party plans were in the offing.

The leaves had just recently fallen and time was awasting. I felt compelled to share my spontaneous party intentions with everyone I knew, including the bored, heavily mascara’d teenager at the corner store.

Snowing Donuts

“Soooo”, I prattled to all, “I won’t remind you on the day. Just tuck it away and hopefully, you’ll remember the invitation when the day arrives, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, get it? Whoever shows up, shows up!” And then I’d smile expectantly while each politely asserted that they’d try to be there. At the time, my brother was living with us. I told him too. Without changing expression, he said the idea was good, but could we do away with the inviting of the people? My brother and I share a love of all things doughy, but that would be where our similarities end.

In the magazine story, the party plans unfolded organically. The writer/hostess dreamed up the idea, the snow fell shortly afterward and the magical snowy afternoon erupted into a day of Norman Rockwell proportions.

After googling ‘beignet’, I rummaged for the dry ingredients, then lined up the fixings on the kitchen counter like little fat-fortified soldiers waiting to charge at my midriff.

In the magazine story, the party plans unfolded organically. The writer/hostess dreamed up the idea, the snow fell shortly afterward and the magical snowy afternoon erupted into a day of Norman Rockwell proportions. First a friend from her work arrived, kicking off her shoes and declaring that she’d hoped all day that the icy skies would spit snow so she could knock off early and come over for the yeasty treats. A little girl from next door poked her head in the door. Was there really going to be an instant party at

the first sign of snow? Her face opened with joy as the hostess offered a big ol’ cup of cocoa. A splayed retriever provided a perfect backrest on the floor near the fire. The little girl’s dad trudged in the side door carrying a bundle of wood. The mail lady arrived. So did the couple who just moved in down the road. Someone brought a guitar. The entire home filled with a glorious blend of Christmas carols and sugary beignets. From time to time, the dog raised his sleepy head for donut droppings. Stories were shared, many of the writer’s friends and neighbours finding they knew people in common. Even those who’d never met felt blessed in their conspiratorial sharing of this random gathering.

In my story, none of that happened. The snow dribbled down about three weeks after my invitations. I mixed my batter and flared up my cinnamon candles. I poofed up the couch pillows, lit the fire and let my husband and brother know that today was the day. Who would arrive first?

Wet, speckly, falling first snow. My kitchen became my workshop as I mixed and rolled amidst my own blizzard of flour and sugar.

The beignets were born. One by one, I ladled them out of their greasy bath, plunked them on a towel and dusted their little backs. I waited. Then waited some more. My brother sauntered through the kitchen and asked when he could officially have one. Without bothering with hot chocolate, we shared the plate.

Six years later, no one has asked about the First Snowfall Party they missed. Three weeks is a long time as it turns out. Lives are busy, and if you don’t text your plans 15 minutes before onset, or create the event on Facebook, well then it is a non-event. Gone are the days of ‘Come As You Are’ parties.

Everyone can come as they are online, anytime at all…

Still, I wonder about the inspiring lady in the magazine feature. Did she make up all that bustling merriment just for the story?

It was a good story.

I wish it was mine.

•

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 15

Paradise found

BY LINDI PIERCE

Conservation Areas preserve nature’s treasures

A

mong my treasures is my mother’s 1986 MNR Conservation Areas Guide. The little black and white booklet contains conservation area features, two-colour maps, black and white photos. Mom’s marginal notes from her and dad’s regular outings: “muddy in spring…nice…picnic with Merle and Cliff,” remind me that we kids learned to love the outdoors through our parents’ enjoyment of conservation areas. Not for us the nature deficit disorder described by Dr. Richard Louv in ‘Lost Child in the Woods’. Nature, Louv proposes, is good for kids, promoting healthy development, physical and emotional health. And it’s not just the child’s health, but that of the en-

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

vironment he will grow up in. For what we know, we come to love, what we love we will protect.

Today I have the colourful informative 2008 Conservation Ontario Guide, with the same content and new features - geocaching, world biosphere reserves, species at risk, forest stewardship - plus the ontarioconservationareas.ca website and those of individual Conservation Authorities to help me plan my visit to Mother Nature.

Conservation Areas are the public face of the province’s 36 Conservation Authorities, selfgoverning corporations established within Ontario’s watersheds. Conservation Authorities began in the 1940’s when concerns surfaced about flooding, erosion and water supply, all stemming

from rapid development. Their mandate is flood control, regulation, environmental expertise and leadership, and education. Education is vital; an informed public will make good decisions about protecting the environment.

Conservation Authority boundaries are defined by watersheds. A watershed is an area of land drained by a river and its tributaries, which empties into a larger body of water – in Hastings County it’s the Bay of Quinte. Watersheds are no respecters of political boundaries. Within Hastings we have three watersheds managed by three Conservation Authorities. Quinte Conservation oversees the health of the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers, and

McGeachie Conservation Area (Crowe Valley Conservation Authority) Photos clockwise from top left: Limerick Township Reeve David Golem sets off on a tour of McGeachie Lake Conservation Area with writer Lindi Pierce; the conservation area is made up of 500 acres of mixed forest, marsh, creek and highlands; a resident woodpecker has been busy; the original log homestead known as Drinkwater Cabin is 150 years old, seen here in the 1980s, 1941, and 1920’s; a garter snake surveys the land.

Photos: Lindi Pierce, Drinkwater Cabin photos courtesy: David Golem

Prince Edward County. Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, based in Marmora, tends the Crowe River and its tributaries. Lower Trent Conservation is the steward of the Trent system and its exit to the Bay of Quinte. We do, indeed, all live downstream.

Ontario’s more than 250 Conservation Areas are natural areas owned and managed by Conservation Authorities. These public lands conserve and protect unique habitats: moraines, escarpments, woodland and wetland, and the plants and animals that live there. Conservation areas provide free family outdoor recreation, special events and environmental education. Their objective is to foster healthy environments and healthy people.

A passion for nature and a drive to protect and share it with the public is a common theme across Conservation Authorities, the public and private funders, and the volunteers who work so hard to maintain conservation areas. A visit to Sager CA (Lower Trent Conservation), Frink Centre CA (Quinte Conservation) and McGeachie CA (Crowe Valley CA) tells the tale.

McGeachie Conservation Area David Golem, Reeve of Limerick township, is a big fan of the McGeachie Conservation Area.

We met in the parking lot across the road from

sparkling Steenburg Lake on a cool fall afternoon of pale sunshine.

As we strolled, the sun came out as if to assist David to show off the 500 acres of mixed forest, marsh, creek and highlands, and the Drinkwater homestead. The cottage with its tall stone chimney, on a rise beneath tall pines and cedars is ‘the Drinkwater cabin’, one of the original log homesteads from 150 years ago. In its lifetime, the Old Hastings Road opened (1854), Quinton Johnson surveyed the townships (1857) and the Gilmour Logging Company cut the virgin pine (around 1858).

David began the tour by telling me about the McGeachie family. Jack and Ethel, who purchased the property in 1940, lived here full-time after Jack retired from Bell in 1971. Jack created trails and built bridges; even today the hill in the middle of the property is called ‘Jack’s Mountain.’ Jack always had a vision for the educational potential of the place, and even built a classroom building which Dave hopes to put to use soon. In 1995 Jack and Ethel donated the 385 acre property to CVCA; their sons later added another 100 acres or so.

A lot of community pride has gone into this place. Golem had an idea for the trails, CVCA contributed and they obtained funds through grants, local businesses and individuals. They hired Terry Bradt, a former MNR forester with a prodigious knowledge of natural history to de-

sign McGeachie’s 8km of well-marked trails of varying difficulty levels. Terry and wife Crystal designed McGeachie’s informative trail guide; Terry still conducts guided walks and has labeled trees and plants along the trails. The Friends of McGeachie group pitches in with fundraising and trail and boardwalk maintenance. Trail clearing is expensive and it’s hard work. Dave always carries a folding saw in his knapsack to deal with deadfalls, but CVCA helps with large downed trees.

New projects are planned: a yurt tucked away on a quiet island, a 120-foot bridge of recycled hydro poles to cross the creek and swampy margin.

Funding is an ongoing concern: a Federal fitness grant, Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance, TD Friends of the Environment and others have been invaluable. The generosity of local businesses and individuals, and donations from trail users all help to keep McGeachie going. Labour is donated. North Hastings High School teacher Stephan Richer and his students built the steel gates at the western trail entrance.

McGeachie CA is Canadian Shield topography. Massive trees, at least 100 years old in places, were last logged in the original logging of the pine in the 1850’s. On the high elevations stand oak, maple, pine and basswood, in the damp lowlands are old growth cedar and hemlock. Slowmoving Bass Creek, beaver meadows with their marsh hay once scythed and gathered by settlers, marshes with their teeming ecosystem of plants, Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 17

Sager Conservation Area (Lower Trent Conservation) Photos clockwise from top left: A new 30-foot tower and trail were recently completed with the support of numerous partners; the conservation area is situated on a drumlin - a high point of land excellent for viewing surrounding countryside including part of the Trent River valley; today you can hike a short trail carved from John Sager’s farm purchased by Lower Trent Conservation in 1971; wild turkeys crossing the road en route to a stand of nearby oak trees.

Photos: Lindi Pierce

birds and animals – this place is a wild paradise.

Bear, deer, moose and the occasional elk, wolves, coyotes, otter, and snowshoe hares make tracking exciting in all seasons. Winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing give way to summer hiking and mountain biking.

It’s clear that McGeachie is a big conservation area with an even bigger heart. CVCA staffers Vicki Woolfrey and Lou Young were generous in their acknowledgement of others’ contributions.

Marnie Guindon, Geographic Information Systems technician worked with Golem early on to create the trail map found in the yellow trail guide, a fascinating exercise which involved David hiking the trails and providing GPS information of likely trail routes, and Marnie plotting the information on maps. Young, who works on fund-raising for the McGeachie Foundation, acknowledges the earlier work done by Nicola Lupton beginning in 2010, as she presses ahead obtaining funds from TD Bank Friends of the Environment and Shell’s Fuelling Change grant program.

Jesse’s Way, one of the CA’s marked trails, is close to Lou’s heart; it was named in honour of her lost son, and dedicated to outdoor education.

Lou makes “a personal effort to make it something for everyone to enjoy,” said Vicki. Are there issues with hunters or ATV’s? “People are very respectful of plant species, some very rare, and animals at McGeachie” the women assure me.

“A lot of heart goes into it from a lot of people

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

making it happen. Of all the things we work on at CVCA, the conservation area brings the most satisfaction.”

Sager Conservation Area I visited Sager Conservation Area on the kind of autumn day poets write about. Mist softened the farms, the city and the river valley in the far distance. Sager’s 47 acres preserve a unique topographic feature called a drumlin, a whale-back hill produced by glacial activity. The drumlin is one of the highest viewpoints in the countryside; the tower at the top yields astonishing views well worth the climb. Below, two short hiking trails through oaks and a pine plantation, picnic shelter and toilets provide all the ingredients for a family outing.

Lower Trent Conservation purchased the John Sager farm in 1971, acquiring a property of natural heritage significance to fulfill its conservation and education mandate. In 1976 a wooden viewing tower was constructed; in 2012 a new taller structure replaced the failing wood model.

The 30-foot tall steel and recycled plastic lumber structure is fitted with interpretive signage at all four points of the compass, giving “a sense of the landscape, settlement, history and natural heritage,” explains Marilyn Bucholtz, Communications Coordinator at Lower Trent Conservation.

Colourful panels explain glacial history and fea-

tures like drumlins and moraines, Bay of Quinte rehabilitation, UEL history and the area’s wealth of birds, insects, trees and animals.

Marilyn explains Sager’s expectations of its visitors. “We encourage visitors to be respectful of other users, we want to protect the natural heritage values and provide a safe environment for all.” There are no statistics on usage, but the number of people using Sager during the Thanksgiving weekend after the new tower opened was estimated at 2000.

Funding partners Trenval, the Parrott Foundation, the RBC Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment, the municipalities of Stirling Rawdon and the City of Quinte West provided a needed boost to the LTC operational budget for the tower project. The conservation areas are free to visitors, but they do cost money to run. Donations are encouraged, and where else can we enjoy this for nothing? “Conservation areas are little jewels, they become personal to people. We are thrilled with the feedback on the work we’ve done,” concludes Bucholtz.

Frink Centre Conservation Area I spent two late October days at the Frink Centre Conservation Area, bucolic warm soft fall days stolen from the grasp of advancing winter. One day I was alone but for a few walkers. The next

day two bus-loads of excited students animated the place by 9:00am.

The Frink Centre Conservation Area (once known as Plainfield CA), 341 acres of deciduous forest, cedar groves and silver maple swamp, ponds and riverside paths, hilly drumlin terrain and a provincially significant wetland, is crisscrossed by 13km of trails and boardwalks. The Frink Centre was created by the Moira River Conservation Authority (now Quinte Conservation) in 1958 on farmland and bush formerly owned by the Hoskin family. Early on the land was home to First Nations; the original Crown patent was awarded to Nicholas Simmons in 1802.

This place is alive - constant flits and squeaks of chickadees, nuthatches and blue jays at the feeding station, a silent heron skimming the shoreline, scores of frogs leaping into the river like competition divers as I make my way along the path, a beaver nibbling tender branches as we watch. “They know they’re safe here, so they come out during the day,” explains a woman walking with a delighted little girl.

Across Thrasher Road from the main entrance is a network of trails - Survival, Boundary, Horsetail. Along Beaver Trail the rugged old snake fence piled with boulders recalls the pioneer story. A lichen-crusted viewing platform overlooking the wetland there reminds me how long the Friends of the Frink Centre have been interpreting the Frink ecosystem. Old nesting

A group snowshoe the McGeachie Conservation Area.

Photo courtesy: David Golem

boxes and sponsor signage, the aging half-kilometre long boardwalk with its patina of weathered silver wood are the legacy of countless volunteer work parties, sponsorship donation drives, and construction projects organized by high school shop teachers. This provincially significant wetland, a flat monochrome landscape of shallow pond studded with stumps, bordered by cattails, animated by beaver, birds, aquatic plants and animals will always need our support.

The Frink Centre Conservation Area is home to the H.R.Fink Outdoor Education Centre, established in 1972 by the Hastings County Board of Education and the Moira River Conservation Authority. Operated collaboratively by the two local school boards, the centre is named for Herbert Frink, a Belleville educator with a life-long commitment to outdoor education. The Outdoor

Education Centre offers programs to all schoolaged groups in three portables, the outstanding new Outdoor Education Pavilion (funded by the Parrott Foundation and built by Centre Hastings Secondary School students), and the great outdoors.

Evidence of children’s interaction with nature is everywhere. Brightly painted birds line the trails, instruction sheets decorate trees and posts at outdoor activity stations. I spoke with a Harry J. Clarke school grandfather volunteer, his excited granddaughter and her Grade 4 chum.

“We’ve been coming here since we were little,” they announced. It was clear that the outdoor educators’ planning for the day was yielding results. “I’m not really a nature person, but I like coming here…the Frink Centre helps you if you get lost in the woods.” The girls explained a simulation activity: “we were rabbits…we had to survive bad weather, humans, foxes (the foxes had pinnies on)…In spring we learn about maple syrup, we fish in the pond with nets…and put things back,” her friend added. “Frink is good for families and kids” the girls pronounced wisely.

Friends of the Frink Centre, established 1993 is a volunteer-run registered charitable organization that supports the work of the Frink Centre Conservation Area and Outdoor Education Centre by providing funding and willing workers. It’s a dedicated group; two charter members, Beate Heissler and Dave Chambers are still active. “Without Beate Heissler the boardwalk,

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Frink Centre Conservation Area (Quinte Conservation) Photos clockwise from top left; visitors are encouraged to explore acres of deciduous forest and cedar groves; waterways, including silver maple swamps and ponds are an integral part of the centre; the Frink Centre is provincially significant wetland; the waterways attract nature’s busiest and most ambitious visitors; trees sprouting brightly coloured birds are the work of area school children and the centre’s outdoor education program. Photos: Lindi Pierce

trails and bridges people take for vide a mini-course in sustainable granted would not be there,” exbuilding and living. plains Neville Burroughs, chair of Recently the Friends group the 35-member group. The Friends partnered with the Hastings Stewalso offer outdoor educational opardship Council and Quinte Conportunities such as the spring sugar servation to produce new interbush demonstrations at builder/dopretive signs; more trail signage nor Richard Bird’s sugar shanty. is planned for 2013, designed by Activities once organized by the Quinte Conservation and funded by Friends are coordinated through Friends. And the Friends do some Mary Thiessen at the Centre, on light housekeeping; Quinte area request. Quinte Conservation’s Ednaturalist Terry Sprague still mainucation Coordinator Maya Navrot tains some of the trails south of the maintains the FOF website, which road, manhandling his rotary brush contains information about upcommower through roots and dust, and ing events such as the AGM. he confesses to be “crowding 70.”

Hastings County conservation areas are the place to sit back, reflect, and enjoy nature at its A “Beehive of Donors” located finest. just inside the main entrance to This quote attributed to AlexanPhotos: Lindi Pierce the CA acknowledges the effort der ­Graham Bell, and printed on the devoted to fund-raising, and the cover of the ­McGeachie CA trail generosity of corporate and private contributions The Friends of the Frink Centre mobilized guide seems to sum up the ­Conservation ­Areas’ to the work of the Friends of the Frink Centre. over 120 community sponsors for a massive advice to us all: Ducks Unlimited just added 150 acres of wet2004-2006 initiative, the Sustainability Demland to the Frink’s holdings. The Bass Masters onstration site and washroom facility. The site “Leave the beaten track behind occasionally group contributes an annual workparty. “A lot highlights alternative approaches to building, and dive into the woods. of threads knit together to make things happen,” energy and water use; detailed interpretive panEvery time you do you will be certain to find Neil comments. els surrounded by beds of native plants prosomething you have never seen before”.

•

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

HASTINGS TASTINGS

Winter Classics Country Roads really cooks! And to prove it we are sharing a few of our ­favourite winter dishes. These treats are designed to keep you warm in the frosty months ahead.

Christmas Morning While the Presents are Being Ripped Apart Casserole -Shelley Wildgen, Contributing Writer

1 bag mini croissants 1/2 pound thinly sliced ham or prosciutto (omitting this is fine as well) 4 cups various cheeses cubed (anything left on the cheese tray from the night before – Brie is great!)

1 dozen eggs (a few less is fine) 1/2 cup milk or cream Salt & pepper to taste • Lay the croissants in a large, deep casserole dish. Lay the ham or prosciutto and cheese cubes in between croissants. Whip up the eggs, milk, salt and pepper – pour over everything. Bake at 350 d­ egrees approximately 1/2 an hour or until puffy and golden.

• Serve with fruit salad!

Slow Cooker Fall-Off-the-Bone Honey Mustard Ribs -John Hopkins, Co-Publisher

3 lb (1.35 kg) pork back ribs 1/4 cup dijon mustard 1/4cup grainy mustard 2 tbsp liquid honey 2 tbsp cider vinegar 3 cloves garlic, minced Salt & pepper to taste • Place ribs in slow cooker. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over ribs. Cook on low for about 6 hours. Tastes best while enjoying televised sporting events on a lazy Sunday.

Mediterranean Barley and Brown Rice Bake -Nancy Hopkins, Co-Publisher

Spicy Red Lentils with Spinach

– Lindi Pierce, Contributing Writer (modified ever so slightly from Nutrition Action Healthletter, January/February 2008) 8 cloves Railway Creek Farms (or other really good local) garlic 1 tsp red chili flakes 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided 2 cups red lentils, rinsed 1 cup orange juice (I’ve used mango, also) 3 cups water 280 g. baby spinach, rinsed and drained 1/2 tsp. salt Freshly ground black pepper • In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, sauté the garlic and chili flakes in 2 tbsp of the olive oil until fragrant, 1 – 2 minutes.

• Increase the heat to medium-high and stir in the orange juice and water.

• Simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15 minutes (I leave the lid on, slightly ajar).

• Stir in the spinach (don’t worry, it will all fit) and continue to simmer until its tender, about 2 minutes (or a bit more) Season with 1/2 tsp. of salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve in warmed earthenware bowls from your favourite potter, with ciabatta bread and/or warmed naan bread. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the individual portions.

• Serves 6 - but not at our house. Reheats well.

1/2 cup brown rice 1/3 cup tomato paste 1/2 cup pearl or pot barley 1 clove garlic, minced 2 -1/2 cups water 1 tsp dried basil or oregano 3 cups sliced zucchini 1/2 tsp sugar 2/3 cup chopped onion 1 large tomato, sliced 2/3 cup water 1 sweet green or yellow pepper, cut in strips 3/4 cup shredded part skim mozzarella or Cheddar cheese • Rinse rice and barley under cold water. In saucepan, bring water to boil; stir in rice and barley.

Cover and reduce heat; simmer for 40 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

• Spray 11 x 7 (2L) baking dish with nonstick vegetable coating; spread rice mixture in bottom.

• In saucepan with small amount of boiling water, cook zucchini, onion and sweet pepper for 2 to 3 minutes or until tender-crisp; drain. Spread over rice mixture.

• In small bowl, combine water, tomato paste, garlic, basil and sugar; pour over vegetables.

• Arrange tomato slices on top. Cover and bake in 325˚ (160˚ C) oven for 25 minutes, • Sprinkle with cheese; bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes until cheese melts.

A healthy side dish for a mess of John’s ribs.

Want to know about local food & products?

Harvest Hastings is your source for information on what’s in season, farmers & artisans, what to buy and where to buy it. Everything from farmers’ markets, cheese factories, abattoirs, farm stores, restaurants, caterers and other places to purchase local food will help you know your farmer, and know your food. The County of Hastings runs over 100 miles from the Bay of Quinte to North Algonquin Park. www.harvesthastings.ca

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 21

Still Standing

BY ANGELA HAWN

Sam the Record Man in Belleville operated out of several downtown locations before settling in the Quinte Mall. Photo: Angela Hawn

Sam the Record Man lives on in Belleville

E

ver visit Sam the Record Man’s flagship store on Toronto’s Yonge Street?

Remember Sam’s awesome music collection and that feeling of satisfaction when you discovered some recording you just couldn’t find anywhere else? A younger crowd might at least recall the storefront’s elaborate signage, giant neon discs designed to mimic spinning records. If you’ve never been and were still hoping to make the pilgrimage, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. Bought by Ryerson University in 2008, the building is still there, but that famous sign, declared a heritage element prior to purchase, was dismantled and put into storage. No one really seems to know when or where it will reappear.

And the music stopped playing a while ago.

Worse, Sam himself is gone now, too. The legendary Sam Sniderman, shrewd entrepreneur and unflagging champion of Canadian music passed away last September at the respectable age of 92. The business went a little sooner, closing its

22 I

Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

doors to bankruptcy in 2001, though the original Sam store stayed open another six years. Some 140 stores strong in the 1980’s, the Sam chain once blanketed Canadian retail music sales coast to coast. But times changed and keeping up was tough. Along came competition from big box and other music store chains, followed by internet download sites like Napster and i-Tunes. Soon nearly all the Sam franchises started playing their own swan song.

Yet, there is some good news. Out of that 140, there’s still one store left and it’s right here in Hastings County. If you’re a boomer hankering for a little Sam nostalgia, or considerably younger and just looking to browse the latest retail goods on offer, head to the Quinte Mall in Belleville.

“We’re the last Sam standing,” declares store owner, Spencer Destun, “Who would have thought we’d outlive Ottawa and Sudbury and all the rest?”

Spencer’s story is a cautionary tale of evolution under threat of constant extinction. Worried whatever he says will sound self-serving, Spencer declines to pinpoint the exact magic behind the Belleville Sam’s survival when all others fell.

But the fact they’re still here when others are not speaks for itself.

Spencer’s wife Holly gets a little more specific.

Working with Spencer since Sam’s early Belleville days she still puts in 40 hour plus weeks, especially during the windup to the Christmas season when extended mall hours make retail life hectic.

According to Holly, Sam’s extensive stock fills store shelves from floor to ceiling and they carry items that appeal to all. Looking for Frank Sinatra, Vera Lynn or Max Bygraves? Sam’s loyal senior customers know where to find what they want. How about Taylor Swift, Dustin Lynch or Tim McGraw? The Destun family took note of this area’s affinity for country music a long time ago and always has a large selection on hand.

The sign outside Sam’s downtown Toronto location was a beacon for music enthusiasts from the late 1960’s until the store’s closing in 2007. Photo: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons

Krystofer Destun still spends a couple of nights a week and Saturdays at the family run store. The resident IT guy, Krystofer has kept the store up to date with technology including the soon to be launched website. Photo: Angela Hawn

Spencer Destun and his family have owned and operated the Sam the Record Man store in Belleville since 1979. Photo courtesy: Destun Family

A commitment to catering to a broad range of musical tastes and keeping up with the latest trends and technologies has helped the Belleville Sam’s carve out a strong customer base among area shoppers.

Photo: Angela Hawn

“We’ve got old music, old movies, DVDs, CDs,” Holly ticks off just a few of Sam’s retail goods. They’ve even started carrying vinyl again.

At 180 grams, it’s thicker and more durable than the vinyl of old and therefore, more warp-resistant. Can’t find a turntable to go with that LP? You’re in luck - Sam sells them, too.

Spencer’s son Krystofer points to his family’s willingness to modernize the operation in the

face of changing times. When other Sam stores stuck with paper records, the Destun family moved to computerized inventory. Krystofer believes greater speed accepting the inevitable might have helped keep other Sam franchises afloat. A high school science and technology teacher, he still makes time in a busy schedule to spend a couple of evenings a week plus Saturdays in the store. Much of his work goes on

Sam the Record Man in Belleville is a strong supporter of the local music scene.

Area singer/songwriter Jeanette Arsenault has been selling her CDs through the store for 10 years.

Photo courtesy: Jeanette Arsenault

behind the scenes as resident ‘IT guy,’ making sure the business stays tapped into technology’s latest offerings.

His dad agrees wholeheartedly with this mindset. According to Spencer, you can either embrace technology or run from it and if you choose to run, you might as well close up shop.

He marvels at how much business improved when the store got its first fax machine in the Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 23

Andy Forgie, lead singer of the Beatles style band, ‘All You Need is Love,’ has had his music promoted and sold through both the iconic Toronto Sam the Record Man location and the surviving Belleville store. The band performed at The Empire Theatre this past October. Photo courtesy: Andy Forgie

1980’s. The 72-year-old sees change as a positive, claiming it keeps him young.

And Spencer has seen a lot of change. Starting out as a teacher with the Hastings County Board of Education, Spencer pioneered one of the province’s first cooperative education programs in the mid-70’s. With the focus on marketing, students spent half their time in a classroom in downtown Century Place. The other half was spent gaining practical experience ‘on the job’ with various local businesses.

Around the same time Spencer began formulating plans to start up his own company. Originally thinking shoe retail, he abruptly changed direction when government changes to tariff regulations got in the way. Fortunately, a newspaper advertisement outlining Sam’s franchise

application process caught Spencer’s eye and provided a new avenue for his entrepreneurial ambitions. He responded to the ad and the rest is history. Sam the Record Man arrived in Belleville in 1979, taking up residence in a series of different downtown locations before settling into its current home at the mall.

“Whatever we’re doing, we’re doing it well,” Spencer concedes, though he’s quick to give credit to the local community, too.

“I think it’s a feather in our collective cap that the last Sam standing is in Belleville,” Spencer says, noting the city seems to appreciate what the store offers and declaring Sam’s feels the same way about them.

So how did the original Sam influence Spencer? Recalling a long ago story from a fran-

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chising conference, Spencer explains how Sniderman’s business ideals resonated for him personally. Spencer remembers a fellow store owner’s complaint about pricing and Sniderman’s hallmark reply. Sam told his franchisees good business sense wasn’t always about having the lowest prices in town. The key lay in selection and service. Give that to the customer and the rest would take care of itself.

Krystofer seconds that advice, noting how enthusiastically his family has always embraced Sam’s business philosophy. Like the original Sam, they aim to price competitively. Sometimes you beat the other stores, sometimes you don’t. Regardless of trends, prices are always fair, according to Krystofer. But giving people what they want remains the goal and that still revolves around Sam’s steady reputation for selection and service.

Savvy business sense aside, Spencer insists Sniderman’s real legacy lives on in his steady promotion of Canadian musicians. He recalls how Sniderman always reached out, ready to give a hand to homegrown talent. Spencer rhymes off names like Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, Glenn Gould and Burton Cummings. When someone with claim to 35 percent of the music retail market carries your records in exchange for a percentage of the sales and foregoes the usual racking fees, you’ve automatically got a leg up.

“A band like Lighthouse is suddenly in a hundred stores across the country and people are buying their music,” exclaims Spencer.

In his own small way, Spencer tries to carry on this kind of ideal, stocking CDs for local bands free of charge. He even goes one step further than Sam. The bands get 100 percent of the profit from music sales. At any given time, the store might carry 30 to 50 CDs for local musicians like Andy Forgie, Jeanette Arsenault, Freddy Vette or Acadian music artist Elly Kelly.

How important is this to musicians? Just ask Forgie. Children’s musician and lead singer for

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the Beatles style band, ‘All You Need is Love,’ Forgie can claim “bragging rights” to something very special: his music has sold both in the Belleville Sam’s and, in the 1980’s, Sniderman’s flagship Toronto store.

“Back in the day, Sam’s used to have their weekly sale of new albums or albums on sale. I still have the cut-out of the ad from the Toronto Star with our album underneath the Sam the Record Man logo,” reminisces Forgie.

Back then he performed in a band called Photograph, hitting the road with fellow band mates John Paul Murphy and Mark Rashotte, owner of Belleville’s Empire Theatre. Working alongside Rashotte as the Empire’s marketing manager, Forgie now spends much of his time helping bring world renowned musical groups to the area. The Empire crew has played host to a wide variety of acts, booking performers as diverse as Peter Frampton, the Smothers Brothers and the up and coming Vancouver band Mother Mother.

Amidst all this, Forgie still makes time for his own musical career, playing at festivals celebrating Beatles’ music across Europe and North America. And the Sam store still carries his children’s CDs. In fact, Forgie says he doesn’t even bother selling them at shows anymore. He simply tells customers they can find his music at Sam’s.

“Spencer and Holly are great people,” Forgie declares. “They’ve been very supportive of all the local musicians in this region. To be able to display and sell your wares is a big thing.”

Local singer/songwriter Arsenault agrees.

She’s been selling her CDs at Sam’s for 10 years and has nothing but good things to say about the people there.

“They showcased my CD when I did my CD launch back in September 2010,” she tells me.

“They never take commission. They give you nothing but enthusiastic encouragement. I really feel validated as an artist when I work with Sam’s.”

But these performers enjoy a fair bit of fame in Hastings County. Could any band ask Sam’s to carry their music?

“We never say no,” Spencer assures me.

This kind of open-minded attitude no doubt looms large in Sam’s ability to surf the wave of change constantly flooding the industry. Over the years, they’ve voluntarily undertaken nearly a dozen new configurations, seeking to stay at least one step ahead of customer needs. Swinging from vinyl to eight tracks to DAT tapes (Digital Audio Tapes), CDs, laser discs and back to vinyl again, they’ve stayed on top, always ready for the next move. Twenty years ago, the store started stocking movies and now movie sales make up 50 percent of the business.

“Our sales continue to go up every year,” Spencer reports proudly. Every time the market turns a corner, the Sam store reinvents itself to keep pace. They even carry novelty items now, including a t-shirt emblazoned with the words, “The Last Sam Standing.”

So where will the next wave take them? Get ready for Sam.com, Sam’s new online order service. In the works for a couple of years, Krystofer expected the system to be up and running by the end of October, welcome news to Sam’s many long distance customers who frequently tell the Destun family they wish they could visit more often.

“We have customers come from as far away as Cobourg, Port Hope, Cornwall, Bancroft, even the Toronto area,” explains Krystofer. “In a couple of extreme cases, people come and spend the night here, just so that they can shop in the store.”

The online service will show everything the store has in stock, plus a whole lot that’s not.

In fact, customers will have access to anything Sam can get from its suppliers. And that reputation for personal service? Just like the Belleville store, it’s still standing. If internet customers have questions, they can still get hold of one of Sam’s knowledgeable staff by email or phone.

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You can celebrate The Last Sam Standing with your own t- shirt. Photo: Angela Hawn

“Being the last Sam standing is an honour,” states Krystofer simply. “It’s surprising and it’s humbling. On the one hand you feel you’ve done something right to be here and it’s humbling because you’re the only one left of what was once a great record franchise.”

OK, so there might be only one left, but it really only takes one to carry on the great Sam tradition. And despite the Belleville Sam’s penchant for change, they seem to know what works and plan to stick with Sniderman’s original vision: choice, service, support of homegrown musicians. Sounds like a recipe for continued success. Wouldn’t Sam be proud.

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Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 25

TELLING TALES Northern Light

By Roy MacGregor Published by Vintage Canada SC $22.00

Winter Reads

There are probably few people in Canada more qualified to explore the enigma that is Tom Thomson than Roy MacGregor. The celebrated journalist and author grew up in the Algonquin Park area where the artist produced his most famous work and died under mysterious circumstances.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Northern Light is an exhaustive analysis of the life and death of Thomson, who died on Canoe Lake, in the heart of Algonquin Park, in the summer of 1917. Although the death of the celebrated painter was treated as an accidental drowning at the time, there have long been suggestions that foul play was involved. MacGregor sifts through the evidence and produces some new revelations to offer his own opinions on what might lie behind the Thomson tragedy.

Tied into the controversy surrounding Thomson’s death is the burial of his body. Although originally interred at Canoe Lake, Thomson’s family had arranged to have his remains returned to the family plot in Owen Sound. Did Thomson’s body ever leave Algonquin Park? MacGregor sheds new light on this mystery as well.

MacGregor’s research into Thomson’s life and death is exhaustive. He revisits some aspects of the story two or three times, which can make it seem a little repetitive, although given the complexity of the subject matter, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

The book also gives tremendous insight into Thomson’s gift as an artist, and explores in detail his impact on the artistic scene and his ability to carve out a uniquely Canadian voice.

This is a book that explores Canada’s cultural growth as much as the bizarre death of Thomson on Canoe Lake. To treat it simply as a true life mystery story is to sell it short. This is a book that captures the essence of this country.

Canadians With Custer

By Mary Thomas Published by Dundurn SC $24.99

The United States has often been seen as a land of opportunity and adventure for restless Canadians, and apparently the lure dates as far back as the 1860s.

In her latest book, Canadians With Custer, Belleville author Mary Thomas introduces the reader to the 17 Canadians who

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Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

fought alongside General George A. Custer during his military campaigns in the American west, culminating with his defeat and death at Little Big Horn, Montana, in 1876.

Thomas’s painstaking analysis and in-depth research help paint vivid descriptions of the Canadians who fought with Custer. The challenges of living on the American frontier and life in the military are presented in sometimes stark detail. As the book builds to the climax of the battle at Little Big Horn, the action moves quickly.

Thomas presents a full picture of Custer, with particular attention paid to his showmanship and hubris, which in many ways led to his downfall. The discussion of his court martial early in the book could be a little shorter, however, without losing its impact.

It is interesting and revealing to see the U.S. perspective on handling the Native element in their country. In some cases the similarities to Canada’s own experiences are striking, in others the differences are alarming.

Maps of the areas detailed in the story would also be helpful – perhaps something to incorporate in later editions?

Overall, Canadians With Custer is an engaging book that would entertain anyone with even a passing interest in North American history.

Laura Secord, Heroine of the War of 1812

By Peggy Dymond Leavey Published by Dundurn SC $19.99

The War of 1812 has been getting a lot of attention in this, the 200th anniversary of its outbreak, so the appearance of Peggy Dymond Leavey’s book about Laura Secord could not be better timed.

Secord was the Niagara-area woman who caught wind of an impending American attack on British forces in the summer of 1813 and made a daunting 30km trek from her home to warn British Lieutenant James FitzGibbon.

In fact, Secord’s walk forms only a small part of Dymond Leavey’s book, which is not a bad thing.

The Trenton-based author spends considerable time looking at Secord’s family roots (Laura was actually born in the United States) and the wider subject of the War of 1812. As a result, Dymond Leavey provides a vivid picture of life for settlers in Upper Canada in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Of particular interest is the detail on Laura Secord’s life after the war, including the financial struggles of her family and her efforts to gain recognition for the service she performed.

This book is packed with detail but does not feel burdensome. It moves along briskly and pro-

vides a clear and compelling overview of the War of 1812.

Laura Secord, Heroine of the War of 1812 is part of Dundurn’s Quest Biography series, an initiative started by publisher Dundurn in 2001 that has produced more than 30 books on influential Canadian figures.

Books reviewed by John Hopkins

Writer Spotlight: Peggy Dymond Leavey

Trenton-based writer Peggy Dymond Leavey has produced magazine and newspaper articles, short stories for children’s publications, and been a contributing editor for three books of local history.

She was born in Toronto but, with her father in the RCAF, spent her early years moving across Canada.

Her novels for young readers have been nominated for the Silver Birch Award, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award, Arthur Ellis Award, and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.

Most recently, her novel Growing Up Ivy was a starred selection in the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids & Teens 2011. Her most recent book is Mary Pickford: Canada’s Silent Siren; America’s Sweetheart, a Quest Biography that was published in 2011.

Dymond Leavey retired in 2006 after a 17-year career as a librarian in Prince Edward County.

Writer Spotlight: Mary Thomas

Belleville’s Mary Thomas has enjoyed a varied career as a journalist and broadcaster. She has travelled to Bosnia, Honduras, South Korea and the Canadian High Arctic. For over three decades she has been a reporter for Quinte Broadcasting, where she covers local news and hosts the program newsmaker Sunday on CJBQ in Belleville.

Canadians With Custer is Thomas’s fourth book. Her previous efforts include Behind Enemy Lines, which discusses the experiences of her brother as an airman trapped behind enemy lines in the Second World War, and David’s War, the story of a Canadian soldier’s life in the First World War. Turning Point is an account of the 1837 rebellion in Upper Canada.

•

C r o s s r o a d s

New life for Purdy A-Frame

For a full list of donors, go to www.alpurdy.ca.

Fundraising efforts continue and are critical to the next stage of this project—upgrades on the property are required and the association will be building an endowment. Online donations are being accepted through PayPal at www.alpurdy.ca, or cheques may be sent to: The Al Purdy A-frame Association, 4403 West 11th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6R 2M2.

Marmora SnoFest reaches milestone

IANA takes a break Noted Canadian poet George Bowering (r) shares a lighthearted moment with Al Purdy during an early visit to the A-Frame. Photo: Courtesy Eurithe Purdy

The A-frame home built in Ameliasburgh in 1957 by the late Al Purdy, one of Canada’s greatest poets, and his wife, Eurithe, has been assured of preservation and a continued vocation as a place for writers to gather and work.

Thanks to the generosity of Eurithe Purdy, who dramatically reduced the asking price for the property, and donors from across Canada, the A-frame was acquired on October 9 by the Al Purdy A-frame Association, a newly incorporated national non-profit organization with a mandate to promote Canadian literature and Canadian writers. A major benefit is planned for Koerner Hall in Toronto on February 6 to continue the restoration of the A-frame.

“Now we can turn our attention to the next phase of this effort,” said Jean Baird, president of the association. “It’s not only a celebration of Al Purdy’s legacy, but a mission to educate today’s students on the value and worth of Canadian literature, and to preserve the Purdy home as a retreat for future generations of Canadian writers.”

Purdy was born in Wooler and raised in Trenton.

The A-frame, a lakeside cottage in Prince Edward County, was the centre of Purdy’s writing universe and one of the most important crossroads on Canada’s literary map. In their 43 years residing there, the Purdys hosted a who’s who of Canadian authors: Margaret Laurence, Milton Acorn, H.R. Percy, Michael Ondaatje and hundreds of others.

The association plans to begin work on upgrading the property immediately, and hopes to have its first writer-in-residence installed next summer and working in local schools by fall 2013.

The association gratefully acknowledges the generosity of all donors to the project to date, including writers, poets, publishers, academics, students, booksellers, librarians, lovers of literature and, especially, Eurithe Purdy, who was crucial to the success of this effort.

Special thanks are extended to major donors ($5,000 to $40,000): The Good Foundation, Avie Bennett, George Galt, The Chawkers Foundation, The Glasswaters Foundation, The Metcalf Foundation, Michael Audain, Jeff Mooney and Suzanne Bolton, Leonard Cohen, Rosemary Tannock, Tom and Helen Galt, and Josef Wosk.

Dog sled races have been an integral part of Marmora SnoFest since its inception.

Photo: Courtesy Marmora SnoFest Nathan Carroll and Amanda Struthman on the set of ‘Tweed, A New Canadian Musical,’ which gave the IANA Theatre Company great success in Toronto.

Photo: Courtesy IANA Theatre Company

After a busy four years of producing musicals in Hastings County, the Tweed-based IANA Theatre Company has elected to take a one-year break.

“We here at IANA have been going hard and fast since we started four years ago to create a vibrant, compelling and successful theatre company, and we get closer and closer every season,” said a statement on IANA’s website. “However, in the best interest of our work, of our passion, and of our creative juices, we have decided that the best thing for the company will be to take a one year hiatus while we all go back out into the world and live some new experiences, rest, rejuvenate, and come back inspired invigorated and excited in a little bit.

“This is definitely a temporary hiatus and we can’t wait to be back at it at the Marble Church, but the entire team here is confident and excited about the opportunity to refresh our creativity and come back better than ever.”

Founded by 26-year-old Tweed native Tim Porter, the IANA Theatre Company has enjoyed rapid success since its launch in 2007. Its production ‘Tweed, A New Canadian Musical’, co-written by Porter and fellow Stirling Festival Theatre alum Andre Morin, enjoyed a successful run at Toronto’s Papermill Theatre. This past summer the company produced ‘Godspell’ at the Marble Church Arts Centre in Actinolite and another original production, ‘Aleck Bell, A Canadian Pop Rock Musical’ in Stirling.

“Our mandate is to produce original Canadian work,” said Porter in an interview with Country Roads last summer. “We want to continue to grow and improve our productions. There’s very little Canadian musical theatre and I think people are excited.”

In the fall of 1978 Dennis Fitzgerald of the Arctic Sled Dog Club of Ontario convinced the residents of Marmora that their community would be the ideal location for a long distance dog sled race.

Within days Marmora SnoFest was born.

Thirty-five years later Marmora SnoFest is still going strong, and the milestone 35th anniversary event will be held February 1-3. Event chairman Zaid Mohammed, who took on his position last July, hopes to continue to broaden the appeal of Marmora SnoFest throughout Ontario and even beyond.

“We want to tie together the community and the event,” he explained. “Encouraging more tourism is better for the township and people can see what Marmora is like. We may have return visitors who use our hotels, motels and restaurants.”

A key focus for the 35th edition of SnoFest is bringing in more interactive activities that will draw in younger children and expand the interest beyond the dog sled races.

“SnoFest has the best dog sled races you and your family will experience,” Mohammed said, “and so many more interactive activities will encourage involvement with the younger generation.”

In late November Marmora SnoFest unveiled the official 2013 event buttons, which feature Gatineau, Que. sled dog musher Bob Sabourin. Sabourin has been part of every edition of SnoFest, and started in the sport in 1964. The buttons sell for $4 at a variety of area locations.

“For only $4 these buttons make a great stocking stuffer for families,” said Acting Events Coordinator Lucas Wales. “There are also two draws for cash prizes, and the buttons give you access to SnoFest on the first weekend in February. It’s really a gift that keeps on giving.”

Keep up to date on plans for Marmora SnoFest by visiting www.marmorasnofest.ca.

•

Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 27

C o u n t r y

C a l e n d a r

Things to see and do in and around Hastings County.

To submit your event listing email info@countryroadshastings.ca or call us at 613 395-0499.

ART GALLERIES/EXHIBITIONS Art Gallery of Bancroft, 10 Flint Avenue, Bancroft, 613-332-1542 www.agb.weebly.com Jan 4 – 28 - Tracey Lee Green, painter, and Marg Gurr, sculptor.

Feb 1 – March 3 - “Grace” Elizabeth Kusinski, painter.

March 7 – 31 - “Michal Manson Memorial” – 22nd High School Student Exhibition. Featuring the works from NHHS, HHSS, CHHS, & MVDHS. Belleville Art Association Gallery, 392 Front Street, Belleville.

613-968-8632 - www.bellevilleart.ca Open 10am – 4 pm Tue-Sat Nov & Dec - Small Works Sale of art in a variety of media all priced under $50.00 Dec 11- Jan 15 - Celebrate, a show highlighting the joys of the season through original art works in a variety of art media.

Jan 15- Feb 9 - Artist Choice Show and Sale. Original art in a wide variety of media.

John M. Parrott Art Gallery, Belleville Public Library, 254 Pinnacle Street, Belleville, 613-968-6731, ext.

2240, www.bellevillelibrary.com Galleries One and Two Dec 6 – Jan 3 - On Looking Back, a retrospective show representing Joan Reive including works in fibre, paint and mixed media.

Dec 6 – Jan 3 - Claws, Paws and Talons, wildlife photographer Bill Bickle’s exhibition featuring images of his expedition to photograph the Grizzlies of Khutzeymateen.

Jan 10 – 31 - “Back to Basics” Weavers Unlimited is a group committed to the continued evolution and refinement of Handweaving.

Feb 7 – 28 - Brighton Arts Council exhibition.

March 7 – 30 – Airola, an exhibition of the work of artist and teacher Paavo Airola and his students, on loan from collector Terri Lipman.

THEATRE/LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Belleville’s Downtown Docfest March 1- 3 – Three days of films that celebrate life and human dignity around the world and right here at home. Featuring films from the World Community Film Festival. www.downtowndocfest.ca Gary Magwood, 613 477 1264

28 I

Belleville Theatre Guild, 613-967-1442 www.bellevilletheatreguild.ca Nov 29 – Dec 15 – Sea Marks by Gardner McKay 7 – 23 – Bedtime Stories by Norm Foster My Theatre Bay of Quinte Community Players, Trenton Town Hall, 55 King Street,Trenton 613-392-8844 OR 1 800-930-3255. tickets@my-theatre.ca www.my-theatre.ca Dec 15 & 16 - Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol read by Colin Griffiths.

Before our “Dickens” tells his tale be treated to traditional Victorian refreshments. Music. Come dressed in your best Victorian Bib and Tucker. Tickets: $ 15 Stirling Festival Theatre, West Front St., Stirling 613-395-2100 1-877-312-1162 www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com Nov 30 – Dec. 31 - Alice in Wonderland - annual laugh-a-minute panto in both Family and Naughty versions.

The Regent Theatre – 224 Main St. Picton 613-476-8416 www.theregenttheatre.org Dec 7 & 8 - A Christmas Carol – w/County Theatre Group 7:30pm & 2pm matinee Dec 9 - A Swingin’ Christmas w/ The Toronto All-Star Big Band 2pm Dec 10 - The Nutcracker – w/ The County School of Dance 11:30am & 7pm Dec 15 - Aida - MET via HD 1pm Dec 23 - The Pharaoh’s Daughter – Bolshoi Royal Ballet via HD 1pm Jan 5 - Les Troyens – MET via HD 12pm Jan 7 – History Lives Here 7pm Jan 19 - Maria Stuarda – MET via HD 1pm Feb 4 – History Lives Here 7pm Feb 16 - Rigoletto – MET via HD 1pm Feb 17 - Move to Move – ­Bolshoi via HD 1pm Mar 2 - Parsifal – MET via HD 12pm Mar 4 – History Lives Here 7pm

Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

EVENTS Dec 4, 11 and 18 - Noon Hour Advent Recitals at Bridge Street United Church, 60 Bridge St. E., Belleville – Free - enjoy a half hour of seasonal music – all begin at 12:15 pm A free-will offering and food donations for the Gleaner’s Food Bank.

Dec 5 - Christmas in the Village House Tour, 5-9pm, featuring five beautiful homes in the Village of Tweed. Tickets at Quinn’s of Tweed Fine Art Gallery, The Food Company, The Old Cheese Factory, Bush Furniture, Municipal Office, and the Wine Barrel (Madoc).

Jan 15 - Hastings County Historical Society Presents Major John Grodzinski, CD, PhD, Assistant Professor at Royal Military College, Kingston, on the War of 1812 – specifically, events near Quinte, and along Lake Ontario. 7:30 pm, Quinte Living Centre, 370 Front Street (northeast corner door). Belleville. www.hastingshistory.ca Jan 28 - Birds and Flora of Belize presented by Quinte Field Naturalists.

Retired teacher, Donna Fano. Sills Auditorium, Bridge Street United Church, 7:30pm. Free.

Dec 7 - Wine, Women and Song featuring Jane Bunnett, Suzie Vinnick and the Kirk Losell Quartet at 580 Club, 168 Hastings St. N., Bancroft. 7:30 pm – 1 am. Wine tasting from the Moon Shadow Estate Winery, chocolate tasting from the Chocolate Rabbit and Cheese Tasting.

Cash bar and nibbles. Tickets at the Art Gallery of Bancroft.

Feb 19 - Hastings County Historical Society Presents Local author, Paul Kirby, speaking on his new book, Mary Aylward. In Dec 1862, young catholic settlers, Mary and Richard Aylward, were hanged sideby-side at Belleville, for the murder of a North Hastings neighbour, leaving three infants, orphans. 7:30 pm, Quinte Living Centre, 370 Front Street (northeast corner door), Belleville www.hastingshistory.ca

Dec 9 – Christmas in Prince Edward County – tour wonderful old/new homes decked out for the holidays. Self-guided tour, 1 – 6 pm.

Tickets $20.00 at Books & Co, 289 Main St, & Royal LePage, 104 Main St, Picton. Call 613-476-7310.

Feb 25 - Beyond the Beech with Terry Sprague. Quinte Field Naturalists’ present this speaker for a entertaining and educational survey of the critters, big and small, that inhabit local woodlots. Sills Auditorium, Bridge Street

Dec. 9 & 11 - An Evening of General & Seasonal Music presented by the Hastings & Prince Edward Regional Chorus. 7 pm, St. Thomas Church, 201 Church St. Belleville. Tickets $20, 12 & under $5, at Quinte Arts Council, St. Thomas Church and at the door. www.hpechildrenschorus.ca lisaking@eco-energy.ca

Maynooth

March 19 - Hastings County Historical Society Presents: Historical author, journalist and broadcaster, Mary Thomas, sharing details from her book, Canadians with Custer. 7:30 pm, Quinte Living Centre, 370 Front Street (northeast corner door), Belleville. www.hastingshistory.ca

REGULAR MEETINGS The PEC Horticultural Society meets the last Wednesday of the month at the Picton Town Hall above the Fire Station. (Elevator available).

7pm. Free refreshments, lending library & judged flower show. www.pechorticultural.org Queensborough Community ­Centre Events, Queensborough.

Elaine Kapusta 613 473-1458 ­- Anne Barry 613 473-1488 Each Tue –Yoga 9:30 - 10:30 am .

Lud & Elaine Kapusta 613 473-1458 Jan 20 - Skating Party on the Millpond, 1 pm. Ann Brooks 613 473-4550 Feb 17– Potluck Supper - Eat at 4 pm. Anne Barry 613 473-1488

Country Road

i s c o v eOn r i nThe g h a s t i n g s c o un t y March & April –d Treats Black River - High water on the Black River signals the beginning of Whitewater Kayaking and the beginning of Country great treats for sale at the rivers’ edge in Queensborough each weekend.

Roads discovering Come and watch thehastings fun and county support the Queensborough Community Cenountry tre. Lud &C Elaine Kapusta 613 473-1458Roads discovering hastings county

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Dec 16 - An English Christmas at Bridge Street United Church - 7 pm. The Bridge Street Choir and Bridge Street Ringers. A free-will offering will be taken during the concert. 60 Bridge St. E., Belleville.

Roads

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Dec 24 - Christmas Eve at Bridge Street Church –7 pm and 10:30 pm (Northwest corner of Bridge and Church Streets at 60 Bridge St. E., Belleville) Jan 6 - Unveiled Bridal Event -Quinte’s only Boutique Bridal Event with luxurious mini pampering for the brides, mini fashion shows & seminars plus and bridal exhibitors. 1 Alhambra Sq., Belleville, 10am - 4pm, www.unveiledbridalevent.ca

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Winter 2012/2013 • Country Roads

I 29

Back Roads

Lumber Kings Lumbering has a long history in Hastings County. An 1807 map denotes that North Hastings was home to immense forests and ­companies such as Gilmour and Rathbun once provided hundreds of local jobs. Methods of lumbering changed over the years but clearing the forests in the early 1900’s was a combination of horsepower and manpower. This is Joseph Stringer’s bush team near Whitney.

Photo courtesy: Hastings County Historical Society HC 2056

30 I

Country Roads • Winter 2012/2013

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