SPSH - High, Low & In Between

Achieving more for Rinda's Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt   http://gallorganico.blogspot.co.uk/

From up high, flying freely is #15 - three flags on one pole, our national flag (on top), the provincial flag (to viewing left) and our township flag (white, to viewing right)

From down low on the ground, moving fast  #7 - A Turtle - this is a large snapping turtle and certainly not the type of fellow I want to get TOO close to.  He walked right out in front of me on the road, but by the time I pulled over, he was in the grass.  I have named him Snappy.  Did you know turtles can hiss?

From in between, I give you Alternative C - Rocking Chair - found outside a new to us restaurant (which was fulfilling part of My Summer Of Doing Manifesto, eat at 2 new restaurants along with Explore Wellington County).

Field Trip - Wellington County Museum

The Wellington County Museum and Archives is a National Historic Site. It is located in a building that stands as the oldest remaining House of Industry in Canada. It was built in 1877 as a "Poor House" or place of refuge for the poor, homeless, and destitute people in Wellington County. It operated as a Poor House and Industrial Farm until 1947 when it became a County Home for the Aged  It has since been transformed into the Wellington County Museum and Archives. A new Archives wing opened in 2010.  Completely separate now is the Wellington Terrace, a senior's residence.  Quite a big difference in standards from "The Poor House" senior's living conditions!

  

The main and largest exhibit is the “The Poor House”, featured throughout the Museum, provides glimpses into the lives and activities of the people who lived, worked, and often died here. This exhibit was the recipient of an Ontario Museum Association Award of Excellence in 2007.  There is a model of what the original "The Poor House" would have looked like.

 

Attitudes towards poverty, charity and a community's social responsibilities are reflected in the many compelling heartbreaking stories and photos presented here.  Between 1877 and 1947, over 1500 destitute men, women and children sought refuge at the ‘Poorhouse’.  It makes you realize how blessed we are to be living within a country that now has a large social net.    While the entry way to the building is lovely, I cannot image the dread & trepidation people felt entering this building. 

Built as an Industrial Farm, the site included a sixty-bed house (men and women separate), thirty acres of crops and a barn for livestock. Many of the inmates were admitted because of poor health or advanced age and had no one to care for them. At the edge of the property, a one-acre cemetery was established for those who had no family to claim their remains at death.  More than 270 men, women and children are buried here.   It is a cemetery like no other.

By the time we finished touring the exhibit we felt emotionally spent. I will add that I think people should visit this exhibit just to realize how far we have come and yet still have to go with the treatment of our aged and/or those at a social, physical or mental disadvantage.  Maya Angelou you were right, “When we know better, we do better”

 

Along with the Poor House exhibit, there is a section for displaying local memorabilia from World War I, including uniforms, medals and photos.  Part of the display includes a set to replicate what trench life was like, along with artifacts that servicemen would have received as treats and comforts from home. While standing in this display a sound recording plays of what would have been gun fire and other battle sounds.  It was a constant roar and I am sure would wear any person down in a matter of hours, but in reality this went on for weeks on end.  A moment of thanks to those that endured and gave readily.  

 

The final display is one of the First Nations tribe of the region.  A tribe known as the Neutrals, were a collection of  Iroquoian-speaking nations.  The Neutrals were called Attawandaron by the Huron, meaning "people whose speech is awry or a little different". Both people spoke Iroquoian languages but were culturally distinct and competed for resources.

The  French called the people "Neutral" (French: la Nation neutre) because they tried to remain neutral between the warring Huron and nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.  There are several pieces from a local dig site that shows remnants of their pottery, tools and arrow heads.  

To one side the display simulates The Neutrals long home and on the opposite side is what a pioneer’s home would have been like during the same period of time. The Neutrals lived in large family groups and the pioneers in smaller family units. Both were pretty rugged and again glad I live in a time of comfort.

Outside the gardens had yet to receive their spring time prune and trim and like in my garden, so many weeds!  There is an area of the main building that can be rented for weddings or other events and while we were there the adjacent barn was getting a makeover for an upcoming wedding ceremony.  The barn is also used for event displays and demonstrations.  At the back and separate from the main building is a branch of the Wellington County library. 

While I am glad we visited this site and I did indeed learn a lot about the county we live in, I am not sure we would make a return visit, although I have recommended that friends definitely put this on their list of places to visit.

A Great Start

I think I have found a perfect quote for the opening page of our 2015 Summer of Doing Manifesto scrapbook album.

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."  Walt Disney

I found this quote over at Paper Turtle http://paperturtle.blogspot.ca/   Thank you Deb.

 

Pairs - 2 Early 2 Late

Just one week in with Helena's Pairs and I push the limits, but how could I just pick two, it would be like asking me to pick my two favourite children.  Please be sure to visit the other Pairs linked in at  http://helenascreativemaven.blogspot.ca/


A Pair of Early Blooming Bearded Iris

A Pair of Late Blooming Bearded Iris

Me on Monday June 15th.

Linking in with Sian's Me On Monday at http://fromhighinthesky.blogspot.ca/

The weekend was a blend of rain and sun, work and play.  We had two of our Ash trees inoculated for the Emerald Ash Borer, an escaped invading enemy.  A lot of money and the worry it won’t work.  On Saturday attending our village’s Pioneer Day parade, sad so few participants in either the parading or the viewing, but it did afford me the chance to capture #17 for SPSH.  Looking forward (?) to a return to a schedule of work, last week was vacation time.  Menu planning for the week all done – the crockpot should get a lot of use this week.  Do I have everything on my To Do list that needs to be done?  New to me dresses all washed, ironed & ready to wear.  The week ahead forecasts sun and humidity so I will have to slow down and enjoy the slower pace that the humidity  will demand.  Don’t the trees create such a beautiful amount of shade?  It’s all good.

( the photo is how the inoculation is done - the pressurized injectors are left on for approximately 6 hours, and starting in the early morning is best;  depending on the circumference of the trunk is how it is determined the number of injectors placed)

SPSH - First Finds

These are some of my first finds for the Rinda 2015 Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt http://gallorganico.blogspot.co.uk/

#1 A Bouquet of Flowers - our wedding anniversary roses

#2 An Ornate Door Knocker

#6 Metal Bridge - I found three different ones, all going over the same river but in different villages and towns.  

Field Trip Friday - Fergus

As part of our 2015 Summer of Doing Manifesto; Explore Wellington County, we had an adventure day on Saturday June 6^th.  First stop, Fergus.

Fergus Facts: it is the largest community in Centre Wellington, a township within Wellington County. Population: 19,130 (2011).  Fergus lies on the Grand River about 25 km north of Guelph. The first settlers to this area were freed slaves who formed what was known as the Pierpoint Settlement, named after their leader, Richard Pierpoint.  In 1833, just a quarter mile from the Pierpoint settlement, Little Falls was established by Adam Fergusson. Along with fellow Scot James Webster, he purchased 7,000 acres (2,832.80 ha) (28 km²) of uncleared land in Nichol Township and laid out the town of Fergus. Fergusson and Webster both emigrated from the lowlands of Scotland, and were both Advocates by profession. Webster took up residence here and supervised the settlement's early development.  
Each August, Fergus hosts The Highland Games and Scottish Festival which attracts over 30.000 visitors. The games represent the largest gathering of clans in the world outside of Scotland and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia (Canada).    en.wikipedia.org · Text under CC-BY-SA license 

The Little Falls as they are now, a little worn down from time. 

 
We have been to Fergus many times but never really spend time looking around through tourist eyes.  While walking through downtown Fergus on a Saturday morning, we were quite surprised at the late opening times of 11:00am for many of the shops.  While it is still early in the season for the farmer’s market or the tourist trade, it made it difficult to browse in any shops.  We also noticed that there were many shops empty of any trade – sad as I do remember Fergus as a hustle bustle town.   Of the shops that were still in trade, many had very pretty and over flowing window baskets.  Purple and yellow pansies seemed to be the standard.

We wandered through the Templin Gardens, improved and maintained by the Fergus Horticultural Society.  As the gardens are stepped alongside the Grand River, it gave a really pretty view of the river, which was flowing freely after several days of heavy rain.  There were a few fishermen testing their lines from the stairs, which would have been great photos for two years ago SPSH (Fisherman), but today made it cumbersome to travel up and down the stairs.

We checked out the rebuilt Fergus Library.  The front of the building maintains the old charm of originality, complete with the carving of a Scottish dancer near the main entrance(stock photo).  The addition at the back of the building is a little more current in style, but still in keeping with the surroundings.  There is a balcony for patrons do a little sit and read.

We walked past the refurbished Grand Theatre.  We have seen a couple of plays in there with the local theatre troupe.  I don’t remember the seats as comfortable but I do know that the talent was fantastic. Umm,  need to check out what is currently playing to make a return visit.

Fergus has two well known elements of their Scottish heritage; the bag piper sign at each city entrance.  My favourite welcome sign is coming from the east along Wellington Road 18.  This one is 3D and quite detailed. The others are flat painted pipers.

 The other notable is the Scottish Warrior statue, who’s official name is George Fergusson, The Defender of Blairgowrie, named after the brother of one of the co-founders of Fergus, who once resided in the Breadalbane building, which is now a restaurant.  The statue was carved in 2005/06 by Nick and Sean Kosonic from the trunk of a mighty but dying, 200 year old maple tree.  They used the creation as a fundraiser for the Fergus Groves Memorial Hospital. For $200 or more you may have your name permanently placed on the 'Shield of Honour', carried on George's back. (no photo).

This year as part of the doing, we have tickets for all three days of the Scottish Festival in August and we are looking forward to a return wandering visit to Fergus.