UTT - May 2015

Volume 7 | Issue 4 | May 2015

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

uxbridge town talk

our first friends | virtual reality vs reality | colebrook farms | the garden of our hearts 1

The Uxbridge BIA invite you to become a home-town proud! explore the shops in Uxbridge. discover globally sourced products. shop locally for brand names & unique gifts. dine out at a local restaurant or relax during a hair or spa treatment. Be a home-town tourist & THINK LOCAL FIRST!

PATIO

Experience new flavours.

Explore new dishes.

Enjoy the outdoors.

opening soon

Kendra Clifford, Naturopathic Doctor now accepting

PATIENTS 905 862 0553 | 53 Toronto St N, Uxbridge, ON | tinmill.ca

905-852-7704 · 26 Brock St. E., Uxbridge, ON L9P 1P1

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS! JOIN US FOR OUR CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS!

April 28- May 9th

SAVE 20% ON ANY REGULAR PRICED WINE KIT IN STOCK

NON -TRANSFERABLE & CAN NOT BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH ANY OTHER COUPONS OR DISCOUNTS

28 Toronto Street Uxbridge, ON | (905) 852-0444

Fresh, Local

MILK

At Competitive w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

PRICES

2

Regal & Ben Interior $10.00 Off - Gallons Only

PAINT &Uxbridge, WALLPAPER 4 Banff ROANE’S Rd., Hwy47S, Unit #7, Ont., L9P 1S9 www.roanespaint.com phone: 905-852-5315 fax: 905-852-2215

ice cream too! t a e r G ES

D

T. 1 9 37

A I R Y

304 Toronto St. South, Uxbridge (In the plaza beside McDonalds)

contents

volume 7 | issue 4 | may 2015

11

14

4

10

Town Talk Tidbits May Facts

Peacefully Productive Lessons From The New Nursery

5

11

Historically Speaking Our First Friends

6 Faces of Uxbridge Scarsin

7 Guest Column Thistledown Pet Memorial

8 Community Calendar May 2015

9 Community Calendar Cont’d May 2015

STAFF Managing Editor: Elaine Leigh Graphic Designer: Sandi Leigh/Ashleigh Walter Sales Manager: Sandi Leigh CONTRIBUTORS Darrin Davis Bob Prince Raven Murphy Josh Morrison Sari Pandopulos Deby Kasman

Spotlight on you Madison Holder

12 Youthful Yammerings Virtual Reality vs Reality

13 Your Community Local Living

14 Agricultural News Colebrook Farms

15

COVER PHOTO Birute Vijeikiene | 123rf.com CONTACT US Phone: 905 862 3747 Email: info@uxbridgetowntalk.com www.uxbridgetowntalk.com MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1035, Uxbridge ON L9P 1N3 OFFICE ADDRESS 24 Toronto St. N., Unit 3

facebook.com/uxbridgetowntalk

-town talk

Down to Earth with Raven The Garden of our Hearts

twitter.com/uxtowntalk

Pick up copies at: Zehrs,Vinces, Blue Heron Books, Township Office,Uxbridge and Zephyr libraries, NRG4Life and more.

EDITORIAL MESSAGE Unless otherwise stated, all product reviews, articles and other features are chosen by us at our discretion. If you would like to be featured please contact us.

Uxbridge Town Talk is a monthly publication by Sweet World Media. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for the claims, views, opinions, comments or advertisement herein. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Uxbridge Town Talk does not endorse any advertised product, service or event. The Publisher is not responsible for any typographical errors. Advertisers are responsible for any copyright issues. Uxbridge Town Talk will not be held responsible for errors, print or otherwise, in submitted ads. No part of this publication, including advertisements, may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher.

Copyright © Sweet World Media 2009-2015

www.sweetworldmedia.com

The font used in “Uxbridge Town Talk” is the Gibson Family Font designed by Rod McDonald to honor my father in law John Gibson. It is available for sale at www.canadatype.net/fonts/ gibson. All proceeds are donated by Canada Type to various programs to help improve creative arts and to elevate design programs in Canada.

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

4

Mother’s Day, Sunday May 10th, remember to give mom all the love, hugs and respect she so richly deserves, hope you all enjoy.

Family Time!!!!!

I am going to hope that by the time you read this spring will have finally come, and although we are done with Winter, mother nature has a knack of giving us just one reminder of who is really in control. I don’t really mind, although it was a bit of a shock to wake up to snow in late April, but that is nature.

In the month of April, we had the opportunity to show our respect to our planet for Earth day. Our schools and business’ had many things planned, I was impressed with the coverage of our most important asset, our planet. It seems many of us have taken it seriously, kudos to those who do.

I thought I would share how we, in our home, did our part to help the planet, by replacing every lightbulb in our house ( over 80) with LED energy efficient bulbs. As we have potlights, there was a significant cost involved, but we felt it was the right way to go. As I am a believer in doing the best we can to save our most precious asset, maybe you can help me to understand why I had a recycling bin full of packaging when we were done. Let me explain the puzzle, through www.saveonenergy.ca you get $5.00 coupon for every package purchased, however the most beneficial savings is with the package of 1, so imagine this, we replaced 53 pot lights alone. Are we not saving the earth in one fashion, yet filling the landfill sites in the process? For me this made no sense, but am I glad I did this? Absolutely!!!! But could we get better at this whole environmental thing, for sure!!!

3

town talk tidbits

| may facts |

SOURCED FROM: WWW.FAMOUSBIRTHDAYS.COM | WWW.DUCKSTERS.COM | WWW.WEB2PRESENT.COM | WWW.READERSDIGEST.CA

BIRTHDAYS

Tim McGraw celebrates his birthday May 1st, along with Eric Church May 2nd, and Audrey Hepburn May 4th.

Sharing their birthday May 13th are Debby Ryan, Robert Pattinson, and Stevie Wonder. As well countless other birthdays throughout April!

Happy Birthday!

MAY

May’s birthstone is the emerald and the birth flower is the Lilly of the Valley.

10, 2015 Is Mother’s Day

The month May was named for Maia, the Greek goddess of fertility.

WORLDWIDE May in Other Languages Chinese (Mandarin) - wuyuà Danish - Maj French - Mai Italian - Maggio Latin - Maius Spanish - Mayo Japanese - 5 Tsuki Czech - Květen Welsh - Mai

| oven baked ribs |

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

Ingredients

4

2 Cups 1/2 Cup 3/4 Cup 2 tbsp 1/2 Cup 1 tsp 1/4 tsp 1/8 tsp 5 1/2 oz

Spring Cleaning Tips

1. Clean things you don’t think of: Examples like your mattress, shower curtains, dishwasher, washer ,machine and dryer, as well as your fireplace.

2. Clean your drains (non-toxic) : A handful of baking soda around the drain followed by 125ml of all purpose vinegar down the drain helps prevent blockages.

3. Disinfect your Chopping Board: To get it clean, run it through the dishwasher or spray it with straight 5% vinegar and let it set overnight. Alternatively, microwave on high for 30 seconds or swab it with alcohol.

PROVIDED BY: DEBY KASMAN FROM TWISTLANE ALPACAS

Water Chopped Onion White Vinegar Warchester Sauce Granulated Sugar Dry Mustard Salt & Pepper Ground Clovers Tomato Paste

Directions 1. Cover ribs with water, cover. Bring to a boil and boil for 30 miniutes.

2. Measure remaning ingredients into saucepan. Heat stirring frequently, then rub over ribs.

3. Cover, bake in 350˚ for 1 hour.

| side salad | Ingredients

Mixed Lettuce Mandarins Toasted sesame seeds Toasted sliced almonds Cranberries Dressing: 2 tbsp 1/2 Cup 1/4 Cup 3/4 Cup 1/2 tsp 1/4 tsp 1 tsp

Soya Brown Sugar Balsanic Vinegar Olive Oil Salt Pepper Garlic Powder

Directions 1. Toss all base ingredients together in a bowl.

2. Mix all dressing ingredients together then pour onto salad.

“Sharing Our Quaker Heritage”. We have all read that many times but why did Quakers (or Society of Friends as they are more properly known) come here in the first place? Persecuted in their homeland due to their pacifist beliefs, opposition to practices of the official Church of England and refusal to swear an oath, even to the Crown, it might have been thought that they would have remained in new territories in the New World described in a letter from Samuel Janney in 1683 as “we have no cause to murmur, our lot is fallen every way in a goodly place, and the love of God is, and growing, among us, and we are a family at peace within ourselves, and truly great is our joy therefor.” Despite the establishment of Pennsylvania (“Penn’s Woods”) and the rapid prominence and influence of Quakers in cities such as Philadelphia, the role of Friends began to swiftly and steadily diminish after 1756, when they refused to vote for a tax for a war against the Shawnee and Delaware Indians. Later, as their pacifism kept the Quakers out of active participation in the American Revolution, including refusal to accept taxation to support the war, the Friends’ influence waned in importance as settlers practicing other religions were also quickly outnumbering them.

It was time to move, first north from Philadelphia through the Susquehanna Valley to familiar places such as our twin Catawissa, then westward to new settlements in Ohio and Kentucky, or to Canada through the same route known as the “Underground Railway”, as most Quakers had opposed slavery and supported its abolition by assisting the escape of slaves. It is stated that the first settler in this township was one Elijah Collins, a Pennsylvania Quaker, who made his way through the bush in 1805 from an earlier settlement in Newmarket, where a meeting house remains on Yonge Street, just south of Eagle Street.

Collins located his family on Lot 21 in the 5th Concession, now Wagg Road and Regional Road 47. He was joined by other families such as Gold (later spelled as “Gould”) and James from the Yonge Street settlement.

Initially, the Friends held their monthly or “indulged” meetings in Newmarket but by 1808 sought to erect their own log structure in

Uxbridge, along with a burial ground; the site selected is the present one on the 6th concession, legally known as part of lot 29, concession 5.

Land across the road was purchased for a burial ground in 1809, the only cemetery in the area for a decade. Still in use, you will find many early gravestones there, including those of the Gould, Plank and James families. Perhaps the oldest and saddest are those of children, such as Samuel

James AE (an abbreviation for “aetatis” or “years of life”) 11 days in 1812, or Ann James aged 1 day in 1815. The collection of material and funds continued until 1820 when the present frame Meeting House was built and registered by deed. It is the oldest building in our township and remained in constant use for meetings of the Orthodox Friends until 1925, when the Pickering Monthly Meeting recommended to the Canada Yearly Meeting that the Uxbridge Meeting be “laid down” or closed. The Uxbridge Times-Journal for July 11, 1940, includes a call for sale by tender of the Friends Church property “consisting of 2 acres of land, a frame church 20 x 40, a shed 20 x 35, and about 50 maple trees. A beautiful place for a summer home or one wishing to retire, just one mile from the town of Uxbridge.” The sale was averted by the creation of a committee in 1941 to look raise funds and maintain the building.

Today, a dedicated group maintains that trust, several with names that resonate such as Russsell and Ron Gould, Donald James, Bruce Ball, all descendents of the original settlers. They will doubtlessly explain the internal changes to the building, most notably that it was originally divided by a partition creating two equal rooms, one for men and one for women, as was typical of Friends Meeting Houses at the time. Local lore has it that joint meetings became the norm after a father ventured into the women’s section to check on a crying baby, stating “a man’s place is with his family”. They will likely also note the difference in the benches whereby those on the left were for women with open backs, allowing room for dresses, and the changes in structure of this sturdy building, a testament to the skill of Our First Friends. You may express your own thanks to them for their dedication to this heritage site by attending the 206th anniversary interdenominational service there on June 14 at 2:30 p.m.

Bob Prince is a retired engineer and scientist living in Uxbridge and a member of Heritage Uxbridge, a committee advisory to Council on the preservation of heritage properties in the Township.

historically speaking

BY BOB PRINCE

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

| our first friends |

5

faces of uxbridge

| scarsin |

BY ELAINE LEIGH

This months’ faces is not just one face, but that of many faces of an international corporation. Thanks to Paul Minshull, it’s headquarters are in our town of Uxbridge. We have talked to Paul in the past, but I thought it might be fun to share an update.

Scarsin is an award winning global company one, which has quickly expanded. It is fun speaking with Paul who has an interesting and strong belief in what he does. We chatted a bit about his growth over the last few years, his business sense is amazing. He believes in Scarsin and lives by the philosophy “If they can do it, so can we”. Combine this with the continued contributions of a strong staff, you can clearly see the success of Scarsin. I truly enjoyed chatting with Paul, and walked away knowing his guidance has made Scarsin what it is today.

Paul of Scarsin is not a new face; in fact he has lived in Uxbridge for many years, but perhaps his company, his love of Uxbridge and his humanitarian passion is something all of you may not be aware.

Lets start by updating you on Scarsin, since my last interview Paul’s employees have doubled, with 37 employees, 40% are Uxbridge residences. The offices have expanded but economically this growth is amazing for Uxbridge’s economy. Imagine, a take out lunch order for 40, or bowling night at the local bowling alley, a walking group who utilizes our local trail system, what a great contribution to our local economy. Scarsin, just by location, boosts Uxbridge’s local

economy daily. How many of us walk past their location on the corner of Brock and Main St. never knowing what Scarsin does. As well as being a significant business in Uxbridge, Scarsin and their very important team develop an international, award winning software i2e, designed to analyze and forecast critical business information.

Scarsin is not only a Global company but a company that sincerely supports many causes. Paul believes in students and hires many of our local students every summer, giving them great opportunities to learn at an international level of business. Scarsin often hires students for permanent positions.

I cannot write a story about Scarsin without sharing their commitment internationally, one that makes a huge difference in Ghana, West Africa. Scarsin,for the past two years, has contributed to GRID (Ghana Rural Integrated Development) a Canadian Christian organization who’s goal is to offer medical care to those who cannot afford it. Scarsin, for the second year in a row provides support to this Uxbridge led Ghana Medical Mission.

Scarsin is definitely what I would consider one of Uxbridge’s hidden gems, one that has not only committed to their employees, but also locally to Uxbridge and globally, to far reaching global communities, all of which contribute to the success of Scarsin. I truly enjoyed chatting with Paul, and walked away knowing his guidance has made Scarsin what it is today.

As a resident of Uxbridge Elaine has taken the helm of Sweet World Media, publisher of Uxbridge Town Talk. Elaine has three passions, family, photography and her Golden Retriever Jake.

With a new business, three grandchildren and plenty of photo opportunities in Uxbridge, life’s been busy but fun!

Come Celebrate Mother’sDay

with us!

LITTLE HANDS (AGES 3-5) To Mom With Love!

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

Sat., May 9; 10:00-11:00a.m.

Your little ones will create a gorgeous Cupcake Flower Bouquet, complete with ribbon-wrapped stems, all in a gift box to take home! You will also munch on an Orange Cream Dip with Fruit for dipping. $9.00

6

Don’t forget to sign up for our Summer Camps JUNE

Crazy For Cookies Fri., June 26; 10:00-1:00pm Kid-Friendly Party Snacks Tues., June 30; 10:00-1:00pm

JULY

Cinnamon Sensations!

Fri., July 3; 10:00-1:00pm

Sports Day Snacks Tues., July 14; 10:00-1:00pm

Creamy Caramel Thurs., July 23; 12:00-3:00pm

Twisted Pizzas Wed., July 15; 10:00-1:00pm

Crazy For Chocolate Tues., July 28; 10:00-1:00pm

Strawberries–Mother Nature’s Candy Fri., July 17; 10:00-1:00pm

Delectable Brunch Banquet Wed., July 29; 10:00-1:00pm

Pool Party Treats Tues., July 21; 10:00-1:00pm

Crazy Cupcakes Fri., July 31; 10:00-1:00pm

905 852 1212

KITCHEN KIDS (6-11) Mother’s Day Goodies

Fri., May 8; 5:00-7:00p.m.

We will help your kids create some pretty Mother’s Day gifts to take home to you.

The tasty treats will include a lovely Cupcake Bouquet; sweet as Mom Sugar Cookie Flowers; Flower Cake Pops & Orange & Fruit Dip. $14.00

Many more classes available for August...

For futhur details or to register, visit the customer service desk at Zehr’s or go to our website.

323 Toronto S Uxbridge 905 852 1212

To register for classes visit the customer service desk at Zehr’s or go to www.pccookingschool.ca

BY ELAINE LEIGH

through the process and services available to honour your beloved pet. I really must stress these services are completely flexible and suit every budget. Services that vary from end of life services in a comfortable calm environment, to cremation, burial options and urns, created locally and lovingly decorated . They offer pre-arranged services, and encourage as much involvement in the process that you are comfortable with, your needs being a priority to participate in our pet’s final journey.

When I was there they shared some incredible stories with me, the people who visit consistently to honour a beloved pet. I was impressed and amazed at human nature, we as pet owners need to honour our pets who have given us nothing but unconditional love. Nancy and Colin have created a sanctuary that allows us to do just that.

As fate would have it two days after I interviewed Nancy and Colin a beloved member of our family was taken from us. Our son’s dog Casey was with us for 14 years. Colin and Nancy gave us the opportunity to honour her in the spirit she deserved. I will be forever grateful. Grateful not only for the kindness and gentleness they showed our family, but for the dignity they gave Casey and the compassion they showed my son Sean and daughter in law Amanda, I sincerely believe they opened a door for Casey and us.

Our pets give unconditionally to us on a daily basis, Thistledown gives them the respect and honour that they deserve. You can contact Nancy and Colin at 4766 Concession 7, Uxbridge or visit their website www.thistledown.info .

“My goal in life is to be as good a person, as my dog already thinks I am” Unknown.

As a resident of Uxbridge Elaine has taken the helm of Sweet World Media, publisher of Uxbridge Town Talk. Elaine has three passions, family, photography and her Golden Retriever Jake.

With a new business, three grandchildren and plenty of photo opportunities in Uxbridge, life’s been busy but fun!

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

Good Byes are not forever Good byes are not the end They simply mean I’ll miss you Until we meet again Pets, many of us have them, in all their forms, they are a part of our families and our homes. Some of us enjoy watching the endless stream of birds that visit our bird feeders, or the hamster that runs on that wheel forever. Think of the hours an aquarium fan spends cleaning and feeding, and simply enjoying the fish. Or the cat that is proud by nature, who seeks affection on their own terms. Then we have our dogs, who greets you at the door with a smile (in our house) and of course the tail wagging so fast, their bum can’t keep up, instantly making the challenges of the day disappear. Our pets, a hamster, fish, a cat or dog, can teach us about unconditional love. Our business this month has found a way of honouring our furry friends in a compassionate and unique way.

Thistledown Pet Memorial is a business that honours our best friends with kindness, and diginity. So fitting for our beloved pets that gave us nothing but unconditional love. When you visit you see niches with horses, hamsters, cats, dogs etc. You will see Brigadier, a police horse killed in the line of duty, and Royal Sun, a police horse also killed in the line of duty, and honoured with a full police service at Thistledown.

Nancy and Colin Graham began this passion when their beloved friend, a beautiful Great Pyrenees named Beau passed. By 1998, their dream officially opened. For them this is not a business, but a passion, believe me when I say you will not find more passionate business owners. They believe every beloved pet deserves the respect and dignity at the end of their lives that they enjoyed in life. When I walked through the door I instantly felt welcomed, but more importantly I felt they sincerely love every pet that finds their way to Thistledown and every owner that honours them. They believe our pets deserve honourable treatment and the same gentleness we give them in life after death.

When you first arrive, Nancy and Colin greet you, then they walk you

guest column

| thistledown pet memorial |

Uxbridge Renovation Showroom | 905-852-7722 | 17991 Lakeridge Road

7

community calendar

| may community calendar | duced by an award winning local company.

Please register at the library with a $5 donation Ham Supper with Potatoes & More. Contin- to the Friends of the Uxbridge Public Library uous serving - Adults $14, Children (5-12) $7 who organize fundraising events to benefit the library. Limited to 20 participants. and preschoolers free SATURDAY MAY 2ND

Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church Contact: 905-852-7016

Time: 3:00pm Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church Contact: 905-852-2676

Where: Creekside Wellness

8th Annual Ladies Night. Mark your calendar ladies for our 8th annual ladies night presented

by Canadain Tire Uxbridge. Lots of prizes! New products to showcase! Free giveaways, specials and fun! One lucky lady will win a 6 piece Lazboy Avondale conversation set Retail value $1349.99!

Precious Minds 10th Annual Golf Classic Join us for our 10th Annual Golf Classic to raise funds for the Summer Camp programs at Precious Minds. We greatly appreciate our community’s support as we provide CARE, SUPPORT and HOPE to the families in north Durham Region who have children and youth with developmental disabilities. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. We hope to see you there!

MONDAY MAY 4TH Monday Morning Singers Spring Concert, “All Seasons and Their Change”with world renowned percussionist, Beverley Johnson as guest artist. Friday, May 1st. 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Anglican Church 65 Toronto St. South Tickets $15.00 at Presents, Presents or at the door.

Children under 12 free.

Time: 7:30 pm Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church Contact: 905-852-3693

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

THURSDAY MAY 7TH Oil tasting with Sarafino presented by the Uxbridge Public Library and Friends of the Uxbridge Public Library. This is an opportunity to taste and buy various olive oil products pro-

Time: 7:00 am to 9:00 am Where: Windance Golf Club Contact: 905-852-6703 or uxbridgeprayerbreakfast@ gmail.com

TUESDAY MAY 19TH

Spring, a time of renewal, is the perfect time to begin to cleanse and revive your body! Learn SUNDAY MAY 3RD sustainable and manageable techniques to opUxbridge Chamber Choir. Sacred voices, timize your body’s ability to detoxify. Bonus: Mass in G by Franz Schubert, Motet Jesu Meine Free mini Reiki and Bowen sessions! Come to Freued by J.S. Bach, Voice with Organ accom- the 3rd floor of Tin Mill on Apr.7 at 6pm! We pamiment Tickets Adults: $22 Senior/Student: look forward to seeing you there! $15 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm Where: Canadian Tire Uxbridge Contact: 905-852-3315

8

Where: Uxbridge Public Library, lower level meeting room

Books. Don’t be disappointed; this event sold out last year.

MONDAY MAY 11TH

Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society AGM Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society is holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday May 19 at 7pm. This years’ guest speaker will be Cathy Christoff, owner of the Roxy Theatre in Uxbridge. She will be speaking on the theatres’ history, changes in Uxbridge and her thoughts on its future. Please join us for this informative meeting at the Museum Schoolhouse. Light refreshments will be provided.

Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Where: Uxbridge Historical Centre Contact: Lorraine Ottolini at 905-852 -0758

SATURDAY MAY 23RD

Spring Season Retreat Day Join us on Saturday May 23rd for a day of inspiration and illumination as we engage in the ancient Earth Teachings of the Medicine Wheel. Indulge in a personal connection with Mother Earth as you Time: 8:30 am– 2:30 pm calm your Spirit and receive her gentle invitaWhere: Windance Golf Club Contact:905-982-0882 or register@preciousminds. tion to Rest and Rejuvenate and Renew. Our time together will include; Welcoming Morncom ing Smudge Celebration, Traditional Medicine Wheel Teachings and Creative Activity.

WEDNESDAY MAY 13TH Breakfast and Lunch included. For more details 5th Annual Uxbridge Prayer Breakfast e-mail Raven at outstandingbalance4u@gmail.

Join us as the Churches and Community of com or visit www.ravenspeaks.ca Uxbridge come together for the 5th Annual Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Prayer Breakfast. We are delighted to welcome Where: Held in Udora located just 15 min. N of Uxbridge keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Wilson, MD, who Website: www.ravenspeaks.ca will share her recent experiences in Ghana with us. We will also enjoy a wonderful musical SUNDAY MAY 24TH presentation by Reflections Trio - an Uxbridge based group of talented gentlemen.Please join The Royal Canadian Legion of Uxbridge us for this truly inspiring morning. As those who turns 85 on Tuesday May the 26th. You are inhave attended in previous years will know, one vited to an open house on Sunday May 24th leaves feeling enriched, inspired and encour- to celebrate the 85th anniversary. Branch #170 aged. Tickets are just $20 and are available received its charter in 1930 and after various at Evans Financial Services and Blue Heron meeting places it established its location at

always accepting new patients

Fun on May 24 IS A GREAT TRADTION

But please, leave those keys out of the ignition. don’t drink and drive.

905 852 5691 | 1 800 377 4784

Uxbridge Stouffville Midwives 2 Campbell Drive, Unit 207 | 905 862 3535 | www.uxbridgemidwives.com

4 Banff Road, Unit #2, Uxbridge

www.dgsmithinsurance.com

SATURDAY MAY 30TH

Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Where: Royal Canadian Legion Uxbridge

REGULAR EVENTS

Uxbridge Horticultural Society Plant and Bake Sale.

Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am Where: The Parkette (next to Coffee Time on Brock Street) Website: www.uxbridgehorticulturalsociety.com

Monday Morning Singers. Anne Mizen Baker directs this women’s choir in a variety of music from folk to classical. No auditions

THURSDAY MAY 28TH Victorian Medicine Show. Historian Nancy MacLeod brings her highly entertaining Victorian Medicine Show to the Uxbridge Historical Centre’s Schoolhouse. Learn all about how medicine was practiced in the past and view rarely-seen historical medical equipment and devices. May not be suitable for a younger audience due to some adult content. Seating is limited-please arrive early to guarantee your spot! Admission by donation.

Where: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 65 Toronto Street S Contact: 905-852-3693

Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Where: Uxbridge Historical Centre Contact: 905-852-5854

Time: 9:00am - 11:30am Where: 75 Marietta Street, Uxbridge Contact: 905-852-7792

ART SHOW & SALE

Artists of Uxbridge 9th Annual Art Show and Sale featuring artwork from their members, a BBQ social and the opportunity Sherry Nowlin to test drive a Jeep.

Friday, May 29,10-5pm Saturday, May 30,10-4pm Williamson Chrysler Showroom rosanne.middleton@powergate.ca www.artistsofuxbridge.ca

Wanna Dance? Line Dancing. “You can dance, have fun and exercise all at the same time!” says Dianne Wiseman, the instructor for the line dancing classes being held at the Seniors Centre in Uxbridge. For ages 55 plus Line dancing is great exercise for virtually your whole body. Every Thursday.

Taoist Tai Chi at the Uxbridge Seniors Centre. Includes a gentle set of movements that promote well-being for people of all ages and in all conditions. Beginner class: every Friday 9-10am. Continuous class: every Friday 1011:30am.

Where: 75 Marietta Street, Uxbridge Contact: 905 852 2587

Royal Canadian Legion Every Friday night we play euchre, so if you are interested please come out at 7:00 to sign up and play starts at 7:30 PM. It is a great night of fun for all in the downstairs clubroom.

FRIDAY MAY 29TH

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Uxbridge

Annual Art Show & Sale: Artist of Uxbridge 9th annual Art Show and sale featuring artwork from their members, a BBQ social and the opportunity to test drive a Jeep.

Royal Canadian Legion We have Bingo every Thursday night at 7:30 P.M. until spring.

Come on by the upstairs hall with your friends, it could be your lucky night.

Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Where: Williamson Chrysler Showroom Website: www.artistsofuxbridge.ca

Time: 7:30pm Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Uxbridge.

905.852.4750 www.nrg4lifefitness.net

Royal Canadian Legion Darts runs every Wednesday night at 7:30 P.M. until spring.

Teams are all set but someone is always looking for a spare. Cost for a spare is $3. It’s a great night of fun for all in the upstairs hall.

Time: 7:30pm Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Uxbridge

Royal Canadian Legion Meat rolls run every Saturday afternoon from 4–5 PM until Spring.

It has been a Canadian Legion tradition for years. Come on out and support your local legion and maybe take home dinner..

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Uxbridge

Royal Canadian Legion On the 3rd Monday of every month we hold a veterans afternoon from 2-4 P.M. This is open to all veterans and their spouse/guest in the area not just Uxbridge members. They enjoy food, beverages, entertainment and door prizes compliments of the Uxbridge Legion. So come out and enjoy an afternoon with old friends and acquaintances or meet some new ones. Night of fun for all in the upstairs hall.

Where: Royal Canadian Legion, Uxbridge

Open Mic Thursdays. Open Mic Thursdays are every Thursday at Wixan’s Bridge Presented by Beau’s All Natural Beer and Wixan’s Bridge! Watch awesome local talent, and sing a few songs if you feel up to it! It’s always a great time! The first Thursday of every month there’s a free sampling of Beau’s Lug Tread beer.

There’s raffles every Thursday for the performers and the audience! Starts at 9pm. Hosted

by Bodan. 2 mics, an acoustic, a bass, a cajon and a foot tambourine are provided for general use!

Time: 9:00pm - 11:45pm Where: Wixan’s Bridge 65 Brock Street West Uxbridge.

Contact: 416-587-4572

Karaoke Wednesday. Karaoke is now every Wednesday Night at Wixan’s Bridge in Uxbridge! It’s All Ages on the main floor.

Time: 8:00pm Where: Wixan’s Bridge 65 Brock Street West Uxbridge.

Contact: 416-587-4572

ELEVATETHERAPEUTICSERVICES.COM B O O K Y O U R AP P O INTM ENT O NL I NE

Full Service 5,000 ft2 Fitness Facility Variety of Strength Machines & Free Weights Cardio Mezzanine Personal Training Lots of Group Fitness Classes Great Hours!

Great Rates Starting From $45/mo

1/2 Price Enrollment Fee for All MOMS!

(With this ad. Expires June 15, 2015. Non-combinable with any other Promotion.)

‘Strengthening Uxbridge One Person At A Time’

QUIET HOME-BASED PRACTICE | DIRECT BILLING 905-862-2455 | JASMINE@ELEVATETHERAPEUTICSERVICES.COM

JASMINE MATHEWS

Registered Massage Therapist

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

109 Franklin Street. Open house will be from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. with a brief awards ceremony at 2:30 P.M. where the legion and the ladies auxiliary will be honoring some of our members and veterans. Please come out, enjoy some snacks and refreshments, applaud your members for their achievements’ and celebrate your legions anniversary.

9

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

peacefully productive

|lessons from the new nursery |

10

BY DARRIN DAVIS

As I type this, my wife Amy and I are two weeks away from the due date of our most exciting collaborative creation yet. Or perhaps procreation is a better choice of words. It’s a full-of-wonder, scary, beautiful time, and we are so thrilled to meet our new little friend. I’ve spent every spare minute I’ve had over the last month and a half turning our old office into a nursery. It’s been both exhausting and very rewarding, and I’ve learned a lot during this stretch. So without further adieu, here are the 4 Key Creative Concepts I learned from this nursery project, which I will start applying to all my creative endeavors: 1. THE WHEEL? IT’S PRETTY GREAT AS IT IS. This little beanie on her way is our first kid, so this is my first time decorating a nursery.

(Unless you consider my ‘uncommissioned crayon nursery masterpiece mural’ which my 4 year old self completed on my childhood bedroom wall as ‘decorating.’

My parents did not.)

I had no idea where to even begin with the nursery. We only have so many hours on this planet and using our dedicated creative time efficiently and effectively is the only clear path to completing the many projects we want to get done. As I mentioned last month, there are only so many decisions your brain can make in a day before it starts to suffer from ‘decision fatigue.’ To save you a little time, I’d like to make one big decision for you early on in whatever project you’re wrestling with right now. That decision? It’s OK to piggyback. As a matter of fact, it’s absolutely necessary. We creative types like to constantly be inventing things. And we’re very good at it. But inventing takes time, and we need to prioritize where we use our resourceful creativity, and balance that with Piggybacking on all the amazing work that our artistic ancestors have done before us. I’ve recently become a Pinterest Junkie. It’s such a great platform for DIY projects. Between it and Youtube, there are millions of tutorials and tips to help you complete the projects on your radar. Pinterest showed me the best way to paint perfect stripes on the nursery wall, (Hint: Frog Tape) and how to use chalk paint to safely paint baby furniture in a really striking way. Using sites like these for inspiration and instruction free up lots of space in your brain to allow you to be really inventive where it counts.

2.LIKE A JUG OF MILK, YOUR PROJECT NEEDS A BEST BEFORE DATE. We aren’t procrastinators. We’re simply ‘pressure motivated.’ The deadline is your friend. Treat it with respect and it will bring you some truly amazing things. The problem is, most creative projects tend to come without deadlines. Perhaps because working on your art isn’t as practically important as say, filing your taxes on time, creative projects tend to be pushed aside for months on end. My nursery decorating project came with a built in ‘best before’ date, and because of that, I’ve been constantly motivated to work away at it. As the babies due date approaches, I’m amazed at how much work has gotten done, thanks in large part to the knowledge that there was a very definite time constraint. Now the key will be to impose fixed deadlines on other creative projects that are lingering half-finished in our lives. Telling this ‘due date’ to a friend that you really trust to hold you gently accountable

is a great way to help you accomplish your goal. Alternatively, making a public announcement on social media is a good way to ‘crowdsource’ some creative accountability.

3. ART AS SERVICE One thing that many artists find themselves struggling against is the inner notion that their work is exactly that: THEIR WORK. That it is somehow inherently selfish to focus so much on our own personal expression. And while I would strongly urge you to get over those unhelpful thoughts, another route is to see your work as a service you’re performing for others. It can be difficult to make time for personal projects, with so many other things vying for our limited attention these days. One way to counteract our nagging inner-critic is to make art as a form of service to others. I have spent days on end working on pieces for the nursery, and I haven’t once heard from my nasty old friend Falstaf.

(The name I’ve given my inner-critic.) Even he can’t deny the importance of work performed in a sense of service. Making art that will be ‘gifted’ to someone is a surefire way to add meaning to your work. If the weeks leading to Christmas and friend’s birthdays are the most productive creative times for you, you’ve likely discovered this truth already. Keep it up. The world needs more of you out there. You are awesome.

4. ENJOY YOUR PROJECT’S ‘ACORN STAGE’ AND SHARE YOUR PROCESS. Before I go on here, let me be clear: I find trusting the creative process very difficult. My ADHD doesn’t like me spending too much time on any one thing, unless I’m loving every minute of it. And who loves watching primer dry? I like results, and I tend to prefer projects that require fewer steps, because it’s very easy for me to get sidelined if a project gets stretched over several work sessions. But I’m working on it, and many of the nursery elements required patience and process.

The change table (now a rather stunning distressed Grey and Ombre Pink, IMHO) looked perfectly horrible after the first coat of chalk paint. Perhaps some swearing was heard around our neighbourhood after that first coat dried. But I closed my eyes, and repeated my little mantra: Trust the Process. It worked. The early stages of any project can be tough, so I keep several acorns around the house and studio, as a symbol of where the big beautiful Oak Tree began. And friends, don’t forget to document and share your process! As I mentioned above, Pinterest and Youtube are wonderful resources for creative folks. But don’t feel like you need to be an ‘expert’ to share your process. Some of the most helpful tutorials I’ve looked at this past month have been from first timers, documenting each step in clear language that newbies like me can understand. Beginners mind is a glorious thing.

Hopefully these tips will help you as you work away at whatever fun new projects this springtime brings your way. Drop me an email and let me know what you’re working on!

Darrin Davis is professional musician, singer/songwriter, painter and photographer. His weekly live music video series ‘Songs on a Pink Couch’ can be followed at www.youtube.com/user/thedarrindavisband. Darrin hosts a weekly Sunday night Acoustic Open Mic at Colonel McGrady’s Pub. He lives in the wildwood splendor of Uxbridge, Ontario with his lovely wife Amy, and his incorrigible pup, Dublin. All three are relentless Blue Jays fans.

OPENING DAY 17 SUNDAY, MAY UXBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET

2015

9am-1pm

Uxbridge Arena 291 Brock Street North Uxbridge, Ontario | info@uxbridgefarmersmarket.ca

“Art comes in all forms. Creativity comes in all sizes!”

Meet 14 year old Madison Holder who loves painting, sketching, videography and the performing arts. Her love for performing was influenced by her Nana, who also had a love of theatre and it grew while acting in numerous theatre productions at the Uxbridge Music Hall including “OLIVER!” as an orphan/pickpocket, “Annie” as Annie, and a lost kid, Tootles, and Wendy’s daughter Jane in “Peter Pan”.

Fast forward to 2013, Madison noticed her uncanny resemblance to Princess Anna, from the Disney movie Frozen. It sparked her creativity to soar and inspired her to become an entertainer! She launched a unique venture and began dressing in costume and performing for children’s birthday parties, corporate and community events as Princess Anna of Durham. Madison dons her costume and emerges in character eager to interact with children of all ages and she prides herself in remaining in character during each

spotlight on you

| madison holder |

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

appearance while interacting with everyone.

This talented, young performer is a perfectionist! She invests time into researching the costumes & characters traits which enable her to seamlessly adopt a new persona. She simulates the characters thoughts and emotions incorporating them into making her performances more authentic. When asked about her costumes Madison says “I’ve been saving up all my money from my paper route, babysitting gigs, parties, events, and investing it into buying the best looking costumes I can find!” The result is a more magical experience during each appearance.

To date, numerous Durham Region businesses & charity organizations including Little Acorn, Camping In Style and The Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity Foundation have booked her to appear that their events. Eager to further develop her venture, she participated in the Brock Youth Centre Business Idea Competition & amazed the judges to win the title of Uxbridge’s Youth Entrepreneur, while being the youngest competitor!

Prior to the finale, she’d already envisioned expanding her venture by portraying other beloved children’s characters & therefore re-launched her venture as “The Ultimate Character Experience”. Rapunzel’s already been added to her repertoire, and Madison’s looking forward to adding more characters as she moves forward. Her main goal is to create a magical, fairytale adventure with children who are celebrating their birthdays, or attending special events. Her passion is to spread love, happiness, courage, confidence & kindness. To promote her services she’s created a face book page & website that enables online bookings.

When asked about her future, Madison replies “one day, I plan to try to make it to Broadway or Disney.”

Article submitted by: Sari Pandopulos, owner of Creatively Yours Consulting, & Mentor to youth entrepreneur Madison Holder.

11

youthful yammerings

| virtual reality vs. reality: the adventure & benefits of the outdoors | The sky’s blue and the sun shines as you run down the path to your checkpoint. Just as you’re about to reach it, you get caught in a hail of gunfire. The building explodes and you fall to the ground. It all goes black. But suddenly you respawn with full health back at the start, with the same mission. That’s a video game, a virtual reality. Virtual reality… is not reality. In my article I am going to talk about creating a false reality, the adventure, fun and benefits of the outdoors.

Creating a False Reality

REALITY: “The state of things as they actually exist” (As Google puts it). Some may say, “Video games give you the ability to do/create things that aren’t possible in the real world.” True. I completely agree. Don’t get me wrong, video games can do a lot of good too.

Some let you use your creativity and imagination to create things like Minecraft, others can be relaxing and help with stress, and some can even give your brain a workout in problem solving like Portal 2.

Some let you make and control your own town or city like Sims. But why create a false reality, which will never be achieved, when there’s a true reality waiting just outside your door? If someone’s forever in a world that doesn’t exist, will they not be disappointed when the screen turns off and again they are faced with the real world. So I think that we should get out and create our own reality. A true reality, that won’t be gone when the screen turns off. One that will echo throughout the generations and change lives!

Adventure and Fun of the Outdoors

There’s so much to do outside; a fun adventure is just outside your door. I often go to the forest with friends and work on the fort we’ve built. It’s a lot of fun. I realize that not everyone would find that fun, so I encourage you to think of something that you’d like. Maybe you’d rather play a sport or just go for a walk. Uxbridge has some great trails! Whatever it is, use your imagination! Think up a game that you and your friends can play. I play a game called Mantracker that’s based on the TV show. There are two bikers and two runners.

The bikers give the runners a head start and then try to track them

BY JOSH MORRISON

down throughout the town. It’s fun, creative, plus it’s great exercise!

You wouldn’t believe the adrenaline rush you get when you look back and the bikers are in hot pursuit! So go build a fort, play Mantracker; things that may seem like they can only be done in video games, can be a reality!

Health and Social Benefits

Think about this. When someone’s playing video games, it seems as though they’re doing something. But if you take away the screen, all they’re doing is sitting for hours on end. Do you think that’s good for you? The average youth spends up to 50 hours in front of a screen every week. That’s a lot of time not talking or interacting with anyone.

By going outside and playing with friends, you exercise and interact with people. You can meet new friends and actually know what they look like, unlike video game chatting. It’s recommended to have at least one hour of physical activity every day, so why not do that outside, or with someone?

Today, it’s not as common to see kids playing outside anymore.

We can change that. Sure, this world is turning to technology more than ever, and we’ll need to know about it to live in this era, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still enjoy nature and being outside. So I challenge you to get outside and use your creativity and imagination to create your own reality!

Habitat for Humanity Penny House Update: Thanks for helping us surpass $17,000 or 1.7 million cents! We have yet to reach our $100,000 but YOU can help make this house a reality for the family receiving it by using your imagination to help raise more money.

Please contact me by email: mofamily736@homtail.com if you have any ideas! Remember, we don’t only take pennies, but all forms of Canadian ¢urrency! TOGETHER WE are building this house!

I am 13 years old. I have recently received one of 12 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards presented by Lt. Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister and together we enjoy camping with my parents.

Saunas • Pools • Spas • Weekly Service • Chemicals • Openings & Closings • Water Tests

Relax Detox

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

De-stress

12

Feel

Better

Drop in and see our new infrared saunas

POOLS & SPAS

A DIV. OF HICKLING INC.

Since 1972

5 Douglas Rd, Uxbridge

905.852.3411

www.hicklingpools.com

| local living |

T

he Bellies, Bumps and Babies Show is an exciting all day event

celebrating the launch of Life With A Baby’s new Durham Region Chapter and is being held at the Uxbridge arena on Sunday, June 14th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. It will showcase local vendors from Uxbridge and surrounding area as well as give parents the opportunity to buy and sell children’s gently used clothing and toys. Some of the show’s highlights are: Photos taken with Princess Anna and Queen Elsa, courtesy of Uxbridge’s own Snowflakes & Fairytales and Asia Butterfly Photography, Free workshops, raffles (thanks to generous donations from local businesses), goody bags for attendees, FREE admission and more!

Tables are still available but limited. Please contact Jodi Burke, Life With A Baby’s Durham Regional Manager at durham@lifewithababy. com to learn more about how you can showcase in the Bellies, Bumps

their ongoing support!

The walk starts and ends at Elgin Park in Uxbridge (due to Main Street construction, all participants must enter from Elgin Park Drive).

Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m., heading west on Elgin Park Drive to the entrance to the Trails of Uxbridge (just east of Toronto Street).

As in previous years, registration forms are available at Pet Valu in Port Perry and Uxbridge and can be downloaded at www.animal-shelter.ca.

The site has additional information and tips about online fundraising through CanadaHelps (where you can create your own fundraising page or donate to other participants through their pages).

The Walk-a-Thon has consistently been the most cost-efficient regular fundraiser for the New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog, and with the support of our communities, this year could be the best one yet.

your community

It may have a new name (Mutt Strut), a new location (Elgin Park and the Trails of Uxbridge) and a new date (Saturday, May 23). But the 3rd Annual Walk-a-Thon staged by the New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog has the same goal: raising money to build a new facility to replace the outdated and inadequate existing animal shelter.

This family event features two walking options: a 2- and 5-kilometre route. After the walk, participants can enjoy a free barbecue and purchase raffle tickets ($2 each or three for $5) for some great prizes. We’d like to thank Boston Pizza Uxbridge, Wixan’s Bridge Restaurant & Bar and the Regional Municipality of Durham for providing prizes for the top-earning male, female and team.

We’d also like to thank our event sponsor, Vicdom Sand & Gravel, for

and Babies Show as well as for all other details regarding the Life With A Baby program (www.lifewithababy.com).

All proceeds from table purchase goes towards helping support the Life With A Baby program, part of Healthy Start, Healthy Future, a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to provide ongoing practical and emotional peer-based support for new and expecting parents, as well as parents of children up to the age of six. We offer informational seminars and programs, open forums, and fun social events. Through an evaluation, it’s been proven that our peer support programs help reduce the isolation and anxiety that most new moms face, and in turn, minimize the likelihood of moms feeling alone and developing postpartum depression mood disorder symptoms.

Excavating/Trenching Outdoor Lighting Generators Solar Systems

PAUL MEEK

(905) 852-3211 Cell phone (local call) (416) 989-0047

“Established in 1993”

Service Upgrades Resident Work Industrial Commercial

LETS GO GREEN

Update your lighting to LED. Contact Paul for your options

HOT TUB & POOL HOOKUPS We do

www.meekelectric.ca Call Paul for all your commercial and industrial electrical needs

Voted ‘Reader’s Choice’

BEST ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

Don’t be left in the dark next time Call for your generator solutions

13

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

agricultural news

| colebrook farms |

14

BY ELAINE LEIGH

Did you know that Uxbridge is home to Colebrook Farms? It is a farm, one of the top privately owned breeding and racing establishments in Ontario. Colebrook Farms is owned by Carol and John Burness, with the breeding program overseen

by Gayle Bosscher, Manager of the Breeding Shed. This facility, separated in two locations right in our community, one on Concession 5, the other on O’Beirn Rd, amounts to 350 acres, with a training centre built in 1999. It has a ¾ mile track, a 300’ arena, and a 62 stall barn. This huge, well respected operation, breeds horses as far away as Kentucky.

A breeding program is a 24 hours a day operation, one that Gayle seems to handle without hesitation. Being around horses her entire life seems to give her the comfort edge when dealing with Motherhood on an equestrian level. Her experience and her passion I am certain allows for a calm and natural birth.

Colebrook Farms, at any given time, averages 130 horses, with 50 foals to be born this year. The horses are bred naturally, with Mom and foal grazing the paddocks very soon after birth. The Paddocks are cleaned manually at 2-3 hours per paddock. The facility has a veterinarian on site 3 days a week and is on call 24 hours a day. A blacksmith comes once a week. Colebrook is a huge contributor to our local economy, continually employing and contracting many local people, businesses and services.

The foals are weaned at 3 -4 months where they are raised at the O’Beirn farm. The yearlings go to the training centre to train for racing.

Some horses start at 2 years old but most at 3. Training is managed by Ashlee Brnjas(Burness), who trains on site for racing at Woodbine Racetrack. There are currently 40 horses training at Woodbine to start racing this season. Colebrook is a huge and well-respected operation.

Horse racing has an interesting and complicated history with many tracks being closed due to government cutbacks, but due to some strong lobbying, many are reopening utilizing new and important government incentives. It is an important industry in Ontario bringing much-needed jobs to small communities in Ontario. Economically, horse racing is a huge benefit to local communities like Uxbridge.

Today’s horse racing contributes $ 2 billion to the Ontario economy, with 80% of that being spent in rural communities just like Uxbridge. Thousands of jobs, millions in wages and salaries are sustained annually by this industry. A strongly regulated industry, Government programs both regulate and grant to farms associated with the Ontario Breeding program.

Next time you visit Woodbine Racetrack, remember, many of the participants are your neighbours.

As a resident of Uxbridge Elaine has taken the helm of Sweet World Media, publisher of Uxbridge Town Talk. Elaine has three passions, family, photography and her Golden Retriever Jake.

With a new business, three grandchildren and plenty of photo opportunities in Uxbridge, life’s been busy but fun!

PROPERTY SERVICES

CONTACT US FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE! CUSTOM LANDSCAPING TIGHT QUARTER EXCAVATION / RETAINING WALLS WALKWAYS / PATIO’S • INTERLOCKING CUT, BROKEN, & JUMBO FLAG STONE CUSTOM DESIGN • DRIVEWAYS/ GRADING BULK MATERIAL DELIVERIES

LEAKING BASEMENT? FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

EXCAVATION • WASH AND REPAIR • CONCRETE PARGING SPRAY TAR/ WATER PROOFING • INSTALL MEMBRANE REPLACE WEEPERS/ FOOTING DRAINS • INSTALL STONE •BACK FILL FINAL GRADE AND FINISH LANDSCAPING

647-212-5512 | OFFICE 416-678-6675 | UXBRIDGE, ON WWW.CODEPROPERTYSERVICES.CA | BRENT@CODEPROPERTYSERVICES.CA

“Lean close to the land and touch the soil for you will feel the pulse of life in the earth’s heart.”

Spring - a time of birthing, celebration and transformation. A time when silent seeds awaken from the earth’s womb and bud’s rise out of the winter ground, laughing like children set free from school. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? For many of us transitioning from winter to spring is not always a pleasant experience. The world can seem drab and weary without the snow to cover the brown mush with a clean layer of white and can often times feel dirty, dull and downright depressing.

Every late winter I find myself longing for the freshness that spring rains bring, I miss the smell of earth and the sound of thunder. But, try as I might I can barely recognize any beauty in what I see around me just before spring officially arrives. I have come to realize however that the dreary appearance of the land is often times a metaphor to what happens inside me before my own inner awakenings occur. It is an awkward in-between time when I am no longer embraced in the silence of winter yet not emerging with the natural re-birthing of the land. I feel like something wonderful is about to take place outside my window yet I don’t feel inspired to witness it. My heart is just not in it.

When my inner world experiences these difficult times the temptation to fight and resist change can easily overwhelm me. I’d rather draw the bedroom shades and stay in bed with the covers over my head for an extended period of time. I find myself conflicted as I feel my inner wisdom informing me that an enormous acceptance of the process is asked of me before the greening of my heart can begin. In the spirit of the ancestors before me, I do my best to surrender to the land for guidance.

I begin by taking a walk through an abandoned wooded area. With great trepidation I trudge through large pot holes of muddy water being careful not to slip on the last layers of ice beneath the wet. I become increasingly aware how each step I take holds a clue towards feeling happy, whole and connected again. Broken tree limbs that have succumbed to the winds and weighted snow of winter block my path as I am forced to veer around them slipping on tattered leaves. I find myself questioning with great irritation how this walk will lead to any peace of mind.

In my state of struggle trying to find relief and meaning I stop at a large rock that begs me to climb upon it. As I do a gentle warm breeze arrives as if summoned by my spirit caressing my hair inviting me to breathe deeply and fill my lungs with life. As I do, memories of my mother come to me, I recall the times she would stroke my hair with a loving hand and place her kiss on my forehead. She had a powerful way of instantly relieving my stress or illness. My heart opens. I take in the earthy aroma of wet cedar trees and find myself letting go of the tension stored in my shoulders and neck. I relax and connect with my body. My thoughts bring realization of the parallels between this journey into the woods and my life. As I strategically avoided broken tree limbs and greasy leaves, I was being shown that through trust and self-love my ability to navigate through the obstacles in my life could be overcome. My Spirit returns.

Like the sun that penetrates the frozen forest floor I receive her gift of warmth, beauty and growth. I am restored by the awesome metaphoric teachings that Nature has offered me. Slowly, patiently and gently I am ready to emerge.

I leave you with this...

If you want to know the wisdom of the land, listen to her poetry.

Listen for each season’s voice. Be attentive to it. Identify the lessons she has for you. Let the heartbeat of the seasons resonate with the heartbeat of your life. Hear the questions she asks. Receive her wisdom. Listen closely.

down to earth with raven

BY RAVEN MURPHY

As a dynamic speaker, educator, storyteller and author, Raven wholeheartedly shares her experiences and the wisdom of her Ancestors through a wide variety of presentations, workshops, retreat days and guest appearances. Held in Udora (15 min North of Uxbridge) each event incorporates a traditional experiential learning style that offers an inspiring and fulfilling experience for all. For more information please go to www.ravenspeaks.ca

Spring Season Retreat Day Saturday May 23rd

Join us as we celebrate the gifts of insight and inspiration the Spring season has to offer.

Engage in the ancient Earth Teachings of the Native Medicine Wheel and embrace a day of Rest, Rejuvenation and Renewal.

Our day includes Traditional Teachings, Smudge Celebration, Creative Activity Breakfast & Lunch th

Please register by May 20 by contacting RAVEN outstandingbalance4u@gmail.com

www.ravenspeaks.ca

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5

| the garden of our hearts |

15

16

w w w. u x b r i d g e t o w n t a l k . c o m | m a y 2 0 1 5