Oct 23/08 - For the Love of Quilts

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Feature Article - October 23, 2008 For the love of quiltsBy Julie Druker

Barb Stewart was the featured quilter at the Trinity United Church Quilt Show in Verona last Saturday.

Trinity United Church in Verona was taken over this past Saturday by quilts, their makers, the tools involved in their creation, and their collectors and appreciators, along with others involved in related fabric arts.

The main sanctuary of the church was strewn, pew upon pew, with beautiful quilts, each one unique and labeled with a hand written card identifying its style, maker, owner, age and history. And…can you believe it?… not a single one of them for sale.

Coordinator Ann McDougall, who organized and instigated the show recalled, “I looked around our congregation one day and I thought we have some fabulous quilters in this group.”

The show committee met in November, almost a year ago, and decided to make a one Irish Chain Sampler quilt to be raffled off at the show. Materials were purchased from Wilton Creek Fabrics in Harrowsmith and each quilter made one square, which they later completed as a group in a old-fashioned quilting bee.

In total, over 2500 tickets were sold to raise money for the church, and the funds raised were specifically put towards eliminating the last $2000 of the $30,000 debt incurred by the church from the renovation of its fellowship hall.

McDougall stressed, “It’s been a real church community effort.”

Each member of the congregation was invited to bring one or two quilts to put in the show, either made by themselves or someone else. These 100 quilts included heritage quilts, baby quilts and wall hangings and were beautifully displayed in the church sanctuary. Their designs included Crazy Patch, Dresden Plate, Lone Star and Double Wedding Ring and their ages spanned more than a century.

Barb Stewart of Verona was the featured quilter. Thirty-five of her quilts decorated the choir loft in the church sanctuary. Many of her creations took a full year to complete and some she made specifically for her family members.

Barb started quilting in 2000 but had planned to make a quilt 23 years earlier in 1977 when she saw a pattern in a Women’s Day magazine. She bought the material for the quilt that year at the Walker and Gange Store in Verona, but had to put her quilting project on hold for over 2 decades while she was busy with family. When things finally settled down, Barb recalled, “I decided then to get all those pieces out and put it all together and I did.” That was the first quilt she made.

Lois Grant, who operates a museum in Bellrock, displayed some antique needlework.

Quilting demonstrations included hand appliqutechniques by Jean Clair, machine embroidery by Judy Skeggs, and bindings and labels by Gail Sabramsky.

Other local fabric artisans set up booths for the show. Dorina Friedli was selling her unique felt wall hangings and sculptures and Suzanne Clarke displayed her wearable woven works.

The afternoon ended with the draw for the quilt made by the Trinity Quilters, and Joan Paterson of Glenburnie was winner.

Quilter Jean Clair summed up the gist of the show nicely when she stated that the show “demonstrates the strong connections between quilting, love, comfort and feeling.”

Feature Article - August 14, 2008

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Feature Article - August 14, 2008 Lucky 13 for the Verona FestivalBy Julie Druker

The Red Green Cardboard Duct Tape Boat race is always a crowd pleaser.

The 13th Annual Verona Festival went off without a hitch despite a wet weather forecast. Thankfully the rain held off for most of the weekend and the festival was very well attended.

Festival Manager Wayne Conway was thrilled with the success of the Verona Community Association’s largest single annual event of the year and admits, “We (the committee) were a little nervous about the weather but it held out for us and amazingly, not a single event was cancelled.”

The festival, a mix of musical entertainment, shows and demonstrations, arts and crafts and activities for kids and adults, has continued to grow and gain in popularity with every successive year.

The theme of “Pirates of the Frontenacs” was adopted by this year’s festival organizers and manifested itself in events like “Walk the Plank”, The Pirate Treasure Air Bounce, and face painting.

Festival volunteers and participants similarly adapted the theme in their costumes, parade floats and decorations and in the various creations they made for specific festival events.

On Friday evening the parade was a real show stopper partly due to the record number of entries and to the incorporation of the pirate theme. Town Crier Paddy O’Connor announced the commencement of the parade and bagpipers led the procession down Road 38. Headless Horseman Don Bates, with the help of volunteers from the OPP, managed the traffic at the south and north ends of town and kept waiting drivers entertained.

Post parade, the festival grounds at McMullen Park filled up quickly. Magician Rob Driscoll, a new entry in the stage line-up this year entertained kids and adults alike with his caustic humour and magic tricks.

Kids are always a priority at the festival, and as usual, were given lots of activities to choose from including, mini golf, the petting zoo, the Maze, and the Bouncing castle.

Local band “Printers Alley” took over the stage on Friday night and kept country music fans dancing until 11:00 pm. In between shows, the crowds strolled McMullen Park, snacked at Cameron’s Canteen and shopped at the arts and crafts market place.

On Saturday, roughly 250 spectators lined the beach and bleachers at McMullen Beach Park for the Red Green Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Races, a favorite event for kids and adults alike.

Pirate and race organizer John McDougall was impressed by the number of entries this year.

Each team was provided with one large cardboard fridge box, cutters and a single roll of duct tape, and was given roughly one hour to design and build a lake-worthy vessel that they then paddled through an obstacle course.

Competitors Keegan Turner-Wood and Simon Lee built and entered their boat ‘Gork and Mork #4’ and stated, “This is the reason that we come to the cottage every year“.

Emily Evans and Katie Packman, who have participated in the event for the past 5 consecutive summers, captained “Sinking Feeling #5-Down the Drain”. It may have been their final entry since the two teenagers will be heading off to university this year.

A steady stream of entertainers played in the park throughout the day, including Liza Carew, the Celtic Ceilia Band, Telephoto and Swing Time. Saturday night on stage as usual was reserved for fans of Rock and Roll, with bands Mr. Excuses and the ever-popular Bauder Road.

On Sunday, the crowds continued to arrive for the dog show and the antique car show was a popular event, with almost 100 cars participating. On stage, favorite local groups, Marcatos, Crimson River and fiddle player Kelli Trottier kept the crowd’s toes a-tapping all afternoon long.

Festival Manager Wayne Conway‘s biggest challenge was to ensure that every single aspect of the festival was carried out safely. This year he was “impressed by the committee as a whole and the ability of each individual event manager to take their own responsibilities to heart and to fix any problems that arose.”

Sunday night, once the festival wound down, committee members gathered for their regular post show celebration and de-briefing.

Wayne and other committee members were “pleased to see so many younger committee members now volunteering as adults. It’s great to see the younger generation stepping in and taking over.”

The Verona Festival has become the success that it is largely due to its team of over 140 committed volunteers, and the support garnered from many community businesses and individuals. Wayne encourages anyone interested in volunteering to attend the festival’s first potluck meeting in February which will kick-start the planning for Festival #14.

Sept 4, 2008 - Verona Galic Festival

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Feature Article - September 4, 2008 Forest Farm wins garlic prize at Verona FestivalBy Jeff Green

One of the features of the Verona Lions’ Garlic Festival, which ran for the second time last Saturday, August 30, is the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards.

This year, after a good early-day crowd had made their purchases at the garlic festival booths and at the Verona Farmers’ market, the business of choosing the award winning garlic took place.

The awards are about 14 years old, and have been moved around to the various garlic festivals over the years before landing at Verona last year.

According to Ken Willis, who organizes the Verona Festival, it is “really a question of whether the growers will come to the festival to enter the contest. So far, they have come to Verona.”

Entrants put their best bulbs forward in four categories: single bulb, grouping of 12 bulbs of the same variety, five bulbs of different varieties, and a 12-bulb garlic wreath.

Last year’s winner was Ken Willis, but in 2008 it was the turn of 2006 winner David Hahn, who runs Forest Farm on Canoe Lake Road with his partner Marion Watkins.

For Hahn, it was the French Rocambole variety which brought him the honours. His best bulb won the ribbon for best single bulb, and his wreath, made up of 12 Rocambole bulbs, won second prize, giving him the overall victory.

The contest judge must be accredited by the Ontario Horticultural Society in order for the society to register the results, and this year Ann Babcock from Harrowsmith did the honours.

Contest aside, the goal of the garlic festival is to promote eating and growing local garlic and promoting the local food movement, and on that level it was a success.

Attendance at the festival was up almost 50% this year, from 600 in ’07 to around 900 this year.

Sue Asselstine, one of the garlic growers at the festival, said she was impressed this year by the number of people from outside the Verona area who attended, and she was pleased with the interest and the sales at the festival.

Along with garlic for fresh eating and storage, the growers at the festivals also sell specialty varieties for planting by home garlic growers.

Christmas 2008 - Students Talk about Christmas

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Christmas Edition - December 18, 2008Christmas 2008

Christmas Art Contest

Christmas Cakeby John Diamond

Christmas Messageby Rev. Jean Brown

Christmas Celebrations:a Photo Gallery

Early Literacy:Christmas Books

Festival Of Trees

How Chanuka Saved Christmas

Interview with Maryby Pastor Jeff Nault

Legalese:Holiday Legal Quiz

Prince Charles Students Talk about Christmas

Recipes

Remounting ofa Long Short Story

The Special Giftby Hope Attaway

Prince Charles students talk about ChristmasSome of the students at Prince Charles Public School have written about Christmas. A selection of their letters are reprinted below: Mrs. Cousins grade 2 class

Dear Santa

How are you and Mrs. Claus. Are your reindeer ready? How are your elves doing in the shop? How long does it take to deliver the gifts? I have been very good for the last few days. I love Christmas because I like giving and getting gifts. Please write back soon.

Love Olivia.

Dear Santa

Hi, how are you? Are you ready to ride your sled? Are your gifts ready? I have been good Santa. I like you. You are nice. How long will it take to give all the gifts to the children? I hope the reindeer are ready to fly.

Love Alex

Ms. O’Briens grade 3 class

Giving byCole

Giving means a lot to me.

It teaches me always to share. It teaches me always to be nice to friends so I will have friends because friends are the best.

Destiny

Destiny had just moved to a new house. Her grandma and her were putting up her tree while her pa was putting up Christmas lights. Just then it started snowing. Destiny ran outside and jumped in it. When she came in she said, “that stuff is cold.”

“Yes,” said her pa, “snow is cold.”

Then her grandma asked why did you not help me hang the stockings. Then all of them went out and made a lovely snow woman.

After that Destiny said, “I’m going to name her Catrina.”

Then he threw her into the snow. When she got up she said “It’s too cold for me.”

Pa said we come from Thailand there is never any snow there. It is always too hot and stinky there. It would melt the snow.”

The Christmas Carol byDalton Hurren

When winter comes so does Christmas. Christmas isn’t about getting, it’s about giving and spending time with your family. When you put up your stocking you get candy and clementines, and sometimes a toothbrush.

The feeling of Christmas is happiness. Santa knows when you’re good or bad so be good this Christmas.

Christmas by Sara Fitzgerald

Christmas is a fun holiday where everybody is kind to each other and giving presents too; Christmas is one of the best holidays of the year, when everyone can be happy and meet some new friends. Christmas is a holiday for everyone.

Grade 7

Jingle, Jingle byCale Sauve

“Jingle jingle” was the sound on the streets of Verona on December 5, 2008. Each year the students of PCPS (Prince Charles Public School) walk the streets of Verona all them ringing their bells loud and you might hear some singing from some of the very happy students.

How this event works is the students and staff bring in some non-perishable food items. In exchange they are given bells. All of the food items are given to the less fortunate so they can have a Merry Christmas. I love when it is time for the Jingle Bell walk. I love the idea of helping the less fortunate and I love making noise (and I don’t have to do school work so everyone wins.)

Merry Christmas everyone.

The Jingle Bell Walkby Katie Parr

The whole school went on the Jingle Bell walk today and it was cold. The Jingle Bell walk happens every year with the school. The Jingle Bell walk went through Bank Street and through the bypass. For people who do not have a lot of money and food for Christmas, so they can get into the Christmas spirit,

Jingle Bell Walk byLezlie Smith.

On December 5, 2008. All of Prince Charles’ Public School, including the staff, went on the jingle bell walk around Verona to give food to people who need it.

it was a nice day out for winter.

I had walked with two kindergartens, Owen M and Alexander. It was hard to make them hold hands. I think that it was a beautiful day for the Jingle Bell walk and I had a good time.

Dec 11/08 - Letters

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Letters - December 11,2008 Letters: December 11

No Victory, Donna Dillman

Thank You Chuck, Michelle Green

Re: County Receives Defibrillators, Amy Stewart

Verona Needs Defibrillator Too,Katie Luffman

Time for a Majority, Ken Fisher

Mrs. Claus Came to Town, Brenda Steele

Democracy is a Messy Business, Brent Cameron

No Victory

The so-called victory, in the form of an agreement among one First Nation group (see Shabot Obaadjiwan comes to accommodation agreement with Frontenac Ventures, Dec 4/08) , formerly involved in the struggle, a second, that was not, 'industry' (specifically, a small private company) and the Provincial Government is--purely and simply--a scam.

Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, had this to say, "I'm pleased all parties were able to find a workable solution that balances the interests of the Algonquin communities and industry while protecting the environment."

Where is it written that health and the environment have been protected? It's not written, because it is not happening and cannot happen. There has never been a safe uranium mine. The technology simply does not exist. And why deep drill, if not to mine?

Twenty-three eastern Ontario municipalities from Ottawa to Lindsay, representing over two million people, will not accept this as a victory. I didn't spend 68 days without food and Bob Lovelace did not spend over 100 days behind bars in a maximum security penitentiary to acquiesce to drilling at this stage. The community, including the Ardoch First Nation, the other First Nation involved since the beginning, will continue to say “No” when our health, and the health of those not yet born, is endangered for short term financial gain.

While the economy may be top of mind, most people realize that without clean air, water and soil, we are doomed on a finite planet. Info on how you can help can be found at www.ccamu.ca.

Donna Dillman

Thank You Chuck

Thank You to Chuck Belcher, owner of Sharbot Lake Freshmart, for replacing my groceries that someone else picked up on Sat. Dec. 6. Hopefully they realized what had happened and returned them.

Michelle Green

Re: County Receives Defibrillators

An hour after receiving the sad news that a friend and neighbour had passed away suddenly, in a public place, from cardiac arrest, I picked up the November 27 issue of the Frontenac News and saw the front page article announcing "The AEDs are coming!!"

It is great news that 18 Automated External Defibrillators are being distributed throughout Frontenac County. However, I was alarmed to see that all four units being deployed to South Frontenac Township will be located in and around the village of Sydenham.

I believe that South Frontenac Township includes the villages of Harrowsmith, Verona, Battersea, Inverary and Perth Road as well as Sydenham. There are many locations in the township where sports, festivals and recreational events are held and attended by hundreds of people. Should the AEDs not be distributed to locations throughout the township in areas that serve many people and where they could do the most good rather than be concentrated in one small area?

Amy Stewart, concerned South Frontenac resident,

Verona Needs Defibrillator Too

Hi! I’m Katie Luffman. I am 8 years old and I live in Verona, Ontario. I think you should put a defibrillator in Verona, just because it can save many people. My babysitter’s husband just died from a heat attack so I really want one around Verona. I believe it will save many lives. I think it’s a great idea to save lives. It will make me and everyone else happy.

Katie Luffman

Time for a Majority

When Mike Duffy reports that the GG "can even take advice from her hairdresser", you know it's over. Stephen Harper's address to the nation was bankrupt -not a word of apology for bringing us this crisis. Invoking the name of Jacques Parizeau was to demonize Quebec voters and to give up on getting Quebec support for the Conservatives for the rest of this decade. There was nothing new. Dion presented nation-wide vision of infrastructure revitalization and sectorrestoration. It's time for the representatives of the 62% majority of voters to govern.

Ken Fisher

Mrs. Claus Came to Town

It is with great thanks to a terrific lady in our community that I write this letter. Janet Barr, "Mrs. Claus", made an idea that sprouted last winter turn into a terrific weekend for the children of our community. Janet and her many Elves held two Children's Community Shopping Days last weekend. What a great time to see the children's faces as they shopped for their Moms and Dads on Saturday and then on Sunday as they shopped for their Mom, Dad and brothers and sisters. The true spirit of Christmas was evident on the children's faces as their presents were wrapped, labelled and ready to go under the tree when they got home. Many of the children had done extra chores to raise money to shop. All the gifts were brand new and pretty amazing as was evident when it was hard for some shoppers to pick just the right gift.Thank you, Mrs. Claus, for the many hours you have spent over the past year preparing for this weekend, and thanks to all the Elves who worked so hard to make this such a special event. We hope to see you again next year.

Brenda Steele

Democracy is a Messy Business

Democracy is a messy business, and our institutions do allow for the kind of arrangement that the Liberals and NDP have just conceived. That is not the question. Whether or not such an arrangement should take place is the real issue Canadians must grapple with.

I am a Conservative partisan, but it would be a lie to deny that I have considered the limits to my own loyalty. I know the conditions under which I would tear up my membership card, and declare that being a member was no longer compatible with my core beliefs or conscience. Liberal supporters now have their moment of truth.

They didn’t vote for the failed economic theories of the NDP – they should not have to support them. They didn’t vote in favour of those who wish to break up the country – they should not have to be indebted to them.

The bottom line is that if the Liberal Party of Canada represents nothing more than a cadre of insiders keen on wresting power for its own sake, is that a party you can be proud of?

If not, there is no disloyalty in walking away from a party that abandoned you first.

Brent Cameron

Organizers of the Kylie Babcock Fundraising dance Christie Jones and Tonya Selle thank the crowd for their support on Saturday night in Verona

Thanks to the efforts of the entire Verona and area community Saturday night’s fundraising dance, “A Celebration of Strength” for 2-year-old Kylie Babcock and her family, mom and dad, Peter and Vicki and sister Taylor at the Verona Lions Hall was a resounding success.

Kylie is currently undergoing her third round of chemotherapy treatment for liver cancer at KGH in Kingston.

Organizers of the Saturday night event Tonya Selle, Christie Jones and Wendy Rose were pleased with the turn out.

The $10 ticket evening included a silent auction food and beverages, a raffle and great musical entertainment local musicians Alex Garofalo, and bands Rock Bottom and Rick Smith and Free Beer. Guests also enjoyed a late night buffet.

Thanks to Mrs. Doutre’s class at Prince Charles Public School who donated their hand made Christmas crafts. Many thanks from the orgaizers to everyone who helped out and donated items for the event.

The next fundraiser for Kylie, a gospel concert by the popular group Crimson River, takes place this Saturday Nov. 28 at the Verona Free methodist Church at 6:30pm. Admission is by donation. For more information contact Tonya at 613-376-6514

 

For the most part, the roll out of the vaccination program through the 6 medical clinics in Frontenac and rural Lennox and Addington Counties has been smooth.

A clinic in Harrowsmith immunized 1,000 people last Thursday and in Sharbot Lake a similar number have received the vaccine at clinics on Thursday and this past Monday.

The waiting time at the rural clinics has ranged from a few minutes to 45 minutes, and the problems that have occurred in Kingston and Ottawa have not materialised thus far.

The only major issue has been the cancellation of the immunization clinic at the Sydenham Legion on Tuesday (November 3) because of supply problems late last week.

In response, the Sydenham Medical Centre has added a new clinic next Tuesday, (November 10) from 2-8 pm. The clinic is targeted, as are all of the scheduled clinics throughout the region this week and next, at people in the high risk categories for H1N1.

These include pregnant women, healthcare workers, children under 5, and adults aged between 18 and 65 with chronic conditions.

Other clinics that are upcoming over the next week are at the Verona Medical Centre on November 11 between 1 and 7 pm, at the Sharbot Lake Medical Centre on Monday, November 9 (1 - 7:30 pm), as well as Wednesday November 11) and Friday (November 13) between 9:30 and 11:30 am and 1:30 and 4:30 pm.

The Northbrook medical centre is immunizing people during regular clinic hours.

According to Lynn Wilson, the administrator or the Family Health Organization that encompasses clinics in Sydenham, Verona, Sharbot Lake, Newburgh, Tamworth and Northbrook, there has been a “bit of a scramble getting the vaccine to the clinics,” particularly due to the well documented nationwide shortfall this week, “but as of now (November 2) we have received about 3,900 doses and we expect we will continue to receive what we need,” Wilson said.

For now, only people within the high risk categories should be seeking immunization,

A decision to extend the vaccination to the general population will be made by Public Health Authorities, and could come as early as next week.

Unfortunately the virus has come on earlier than had been hoped, making the immunization program less effective, since it takes 3-4 weeks for he vaccine to take full effect.

In the meantime, the outbreak of H1N1 continues in the region, and there have been higher than normal rates f absenteeism in some of the local schools.

Assessment clinics have been set up at the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team between 3 and 5, Monday to Friday, and a the Verona Medical Clinic on Monday-Thursday between 3 and 5 and Friday between 9 and 1:30.

 

When Kylie, the two-year-old daughter of Vickie and Peter Babcock, developed lung and liver cancer two months ago, it more than changed the lives of the Babcock family.

They have been by Kylie’s side throughout, spending time in Toronto at Sick Children’s hospital, and in Kingston at KGH. Thankfully, Kylie’s prognosis has improved after two bouts of chemotherapy and doctors are hoping to be able to operate later this year after more chemotherapy. So the Babcocks look forward with fear and hope to the next few months.

Aside from the stress of Kylie’s illness and care, the Babcocks are facing a financial burden. While it is hard for the community to help them through all of their struggles, finances are one area in which the community can pitch in.

The family has been supported by their workplaces in a big way. Atkinson’s Home Hardware in Hartington, where Peter works, has not only kept his job secure, the staff has raised quite a bit of money as well. And Vickie works at a local seniors’ home where she has also been assured that she needn’t worry about her job.

But money is still a problem. The family has been paying for travel and food during the treatments, and there have been medical costs as well. At the end of each of Kylie’s chemotherapy sessions, it is costing the Babcocks $2,500 for a new treatment that is not covered by OHIP, and with two sessions done and two more coming, that adds up to $10,000.

Friends, relatives, and neighbours have put together three events to raise money and show support.

On November 14 there is a bus trip to the SAMKO-MIKO toy company and the IKEA store in Ottawa. The bus costs only $25, and there are almost enough people committed to the trip to fill one bus. A portion of the sales at SAMKO-MIKO is being donated to the family.

On November 21, starting at 8 pm, there is a licensed dance scheduled at the Verona Lions Hall. Performers will include Rick Smith and Free Beer, Sydenham High School band Rick Bottom, and SHS acoustic performer Alex Garofalo. Tickets are $10 and there will be a silent auction and Christmas decoration sponsorship as well. All of the performers are playing for free and an anonymous donor is covering the cost of the hall, so all the money raised will go to the family.

On November 28, the popular Verona gospel band Crimson River will be playing a concert, starting at 6:30 pm, at the Verona Free Methodist Church. There will be a silent auction at that event as well, and admission is by donation.

For information about all of the above-mentioned events, call Tonya Selle at 613-376-6514.

 

My War by Ina Hunt Turner

Poems

Area Remembrance Day Services

From Flanders Fields to Kandahar Province

Verona Couple's Bittersweet Memoryof Wartime EnglandBy Julie Druker

Bob and Ivy Martin at their home near Verona

It seems one does not have to look too far to meet men and women who experienced first-hand both bitter and sweet events that occurred in their lives during the Second World War.

Bob and Ivy Martin have resided on the outskirts of Verona since 1989. They met and married in England in 1946, and their memories of that time are tinged with both kinds of feelings.

Bob, who is now 89 years old, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCA) in 1942 and was posted to the small southern town of Torquay, England in 1944 where he worked as an aircraft mechanic with a three-bomber squadron fixing Lancaster bombers.

He recalled, “The war was pretty much over by that time and though the Germans were still making sortie runs over England once in a while, it wasn’t dangerous for me. And I loved working on those airplanes.”

Luckily for Bob the most dangerous situation he personally encountered involving a gun and one that that he “did not relish one bit” was the accidental discharge of a weapon by a friend, which dug a two-inch hole into the concrete close to his foot. Though Bob was not hurt in the incident he never forgave the fellow.

Tragedy, however, struck later for Bob, when he found out upon his return to Canada that his foster brother Robert Bradley, who flew bombers with the RCA, had perished in his last scheduled flight, during the famous raid on the German rocket base at Peenemunde, Germany.

Bob recalled, “ My mom told me what had happened and the strange thing was that she knew something had happened to him before she found out the terrible news.”

Ivy Martin, now 84, was born and lived in the town of Denton, a suburb of Manchester, England and for her the war was an everyday part of life. As a young teenager she experienced a number of horrific events that she to this day prefers not to mention, except to say that, “The bombing was daily and nightly and I had friends who perished. It was not a pleasant time and when I think of it, it brings back a lot of sad memories.”

As a teenager Ivy worked 12 hours a day at the Audenshaw factory near Denton assembling parts for Lancaster bombers. At night she was an Air Raid Warden, leading children to bomb shelters when the sirens would go off. To this day whenever she hears a siren, a flood of memories comes back.

Ivy studied ballroom dancing at the Manchester Academy of Dance and taught ballroom dancing in Canada when she moved here. She also performed as a singer at the Belleview Ballroom in Manchester, with a six-piece band backing her. She sang wartime favorites like Blue Moon, Just My Bill, and Boogie Woogie Boy. "The concert hall was a good place to go to forget the war." She recalled fondly the time when legendary jazz pianist George Shearing accompanied her while he was in town for a concert.

It was at the Belleview Ballroom that Ivy first met Bob in 1946 when he asked her for a dance. That night he accompanied her on a nine-mile walk back to her parents’ house, where her father announced, “That just might be the last you ever see of him.”

Not so. Bob and Ivy were married a few months later.

Bob and Ivy Martin on their wedding day in Denton, England in 1946 with their best man Walter Saunders on the left

After the war Bob was posted back to Canada, eventually landing a job at the Toronto Airport with the A. V. Roe Company (AVRO). He worked as a mechanic and assembled planes, including the famous AVRO Arrow (note the moniker on his cap in the photo).

When the company changed hands in 1962 and became Hawker Siddely, Bob stayed on until he retired in 1989.

After Bob returned to Toronto in 1946, Ivy remained in England for 6 months until she was granted her official papers. She was given 10 English pounds and 24 hours to pack and boarded a ship with 500+ other war brides bound for Toronto.

Ivy recalled, “It was the first time I had been away from my home and my family, (she had 11 siblings) and I was very anxious. When we got to Toronto I remember they lined us up and called out our names to our waiting partners and I remember that some of the women’s husbands didn’t show up. I was scared that Bob wouldn’t be there, but he was.”

Ivy laughed remembering that “some of the brides were sent back after they were caught in the lifeboats messing around with the crew. That was funny.”

Another funny memory was that some of the Irish and Scottish women who shared quarters on board could be heard fighting all night long.

The couple lived around Toronto for years, had two children and are now grandparents. Later they moved to Acton and Ivy taught ballroom dancing until she was 60 years old.

Ivy saw her share of tragedy during the war and both she and Bob understandably share some strong opinions regarding war. Ivy stated, ”War is a waste of good man power and a waste of lives. I don’t believe that war is way to settle things. And believe you me, it is not fun. Still, I think the kids should be taught the history and understand what people went through.” Bob agreed.

Bob and Ivy continue to live near Verona with some of their family members and their “too many” cats, and have been known to dance together on occasion. Of their relationship Ivy states unequivocally, “I love him more now than when I married him.”

 

Poems

Thanks to Royal Canadian Legion Br. 425 and to Prince Charles Public School for the submissions of childrens’ poems & drawings.

World War II by Josh Over one million Went to go fight Just so that we Could have our rights Almost 45,000 Died for us all And so many families Got that bad news call So about 941,000 Returned on their own When they got back No one left them alone Lest we forget The soldiers that died And now we all wear Poppies with prideDrawing by AndrewWorld War II by Josh Over one million Went to go fight Just so that we Could have our rights Almost 45,000 Died for us all And so many families Got that bad news call So about 941,000 Returned on their own When they got back No one left them alone Lest we forget The soldiers that died And now we all wear Poppies with prideA Soldiers Job by Haylee The thought of a soldier fighting in the war with guns and shooting, all the sounds you can't ignore. All the hatred, all the lies, no one should have to die. Fighting for our country, some soldiers make it back. Some to see their families, others to be wrapped. A soldier's life is different. A soldiers life is hard. God has been looking down on them from the very start. To help every one, now that would be a task, but to help just one, than that feeling will last. God will take good men to stand there at his gate. One to greet the others who feared for this day. The others to help God with all the decisions he needs to make. What a soldier does is really not a gameRemembrance Day by JohannaAs gun shots rise, So does pain and hurt. We may be sad when every faithful man goes, wondering if all will come home. A tear may shed every now and then, But as each gun shot falls/ The war is coming to an end. We remember those who are now/ lying six feet underground/ and How they gave their lives/ for us to be well. The Misery and sadness/ may never go away/ but the heart and soul/ of those who fought/ will always stay.Remember by Brycen2 Million dead bodiesThat all rest in peace10 000 Poppies,1000 old faces,Remember them all,Remember the brave,Remember all the soldiersThat died fighting to saveOur country.Drawing by DesireeIn Their Memory -by Tyler Guns Shooting Almost Losing Climbing Fences Stuck In Trenches Letters Sending Acting Happy Pretending Families Crying People barely surviving Soldiers Dying Bunks Breaking Hands Shaking Earth is quaking The Proud Soldiers Lay amongst the poppies bloomingThe Soldiers Feelings by  Katie  The Soldiers Feelings Gun shots will whistle through me ear, for tonight is the night I will fear. I’m going to war. I may never see my family again so iI'm praying to God for a helping hand.I’m here to save my country, so we can live free again. I wish for peace. Hopefully it will be over soon, so I can go home and rest for sleep by the silent moon.Smiles and tears of joy, I’m home again with my wife, my little girl and boy. We celebrate that I am home and they are no longer left alone.I’m here for you now I’m here to stay, God gave me a chance and today is the day. I take it with pride and I take it with fear to remember the thought of not another tear.Solders End by Jacob They lie there dead but in their minds they fight one last time between the dead to decide the victor so this will end and never fight agin and go to the promised land and let their souls rest in peace so this is their fait they chose this path now they rest for ever in the arms of the lord they fought with all of there soul now they stay and wait for you to visit themLest We Forget by HilaryBrave soldiers stand row on row Some in the sky going down to fight below Some soldiers wait for the pain to pass hy Family and friends wait for the pain to die They fight together friend and foe V^hile in sorrow the candles glow Those letters of sadness had come again Another soldier has died in pain If we had the power to bring the soldiers home from war There would he no more ribbons hanging on their door The coffins are lowered into the ground All that was left was a silent sound The tears of loved ones crying in pride Of the loved ones they now lying side hy side Some came hack and some are in a better place The tears of sadness run down their face Brave soldiers lie row on row in the heart of Flanders FieldRemembrance Day Services

Remembrance services were held throughout our readership in tribute of the soldiers who have served our country in the past and continue to do so in the present...

Above: Services in Arden on November 11, photo by Ina Hunt-Turner.Photo left: Flinton Cenotaph, November 8Photo below: Sharbot Lake Legion Br. 425 Colour Party, November 11

Remembering in Verona by Julie Druker

Veterans Bill Campsall, Joe Paterson, Don Brown, Major Ray Idzenga and Master Corporal C. Johnstone pay their respects at the Cenotaph in Verona on Remembrance Day

On November 11, veterans, students and staff at Prince Charles Public School and members of the community gathered at the Verona Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

Marc Wenkoff, who teaches at Prince Charles, organized the event that began with a welcome by himself and veterans and included reflections by grade 8 students and the recitation of “In Flanders Fields” by students Ashley Grant, Celina Grey and Tim Tyeal.

Local Veterans Bill Campsall, Don Brown and Joe Paterson laid wreaths along with a group of grade 3 students from PCPS.

Reverend David Spurrell recited the prayer “Abide With Me” and Mr. Wenkoff played The Last Post and Reverie on the trumpet.

It was a moving and meaningful ceremony shared by the Verona community on a beautiful sunny day.

 

Back to HomeFeature Article - September 3, 2009 A cookbook with history for a causeby Julie Druker

Nancy Lansdell with the first cook book she wrote as a grade 5 student at Harrowsmith Public School 

History and cooking often make good bedfellows and Verona resident Nancy Lansdell has plans to meld the two into a community cookbook for a community cause.

The idea came to Lansdell, who is on the fundraising committee for the Find A Doc campaign, when she and the Verona Community Association were brain storming for ideas of how to raise money for the campaign.

“Find A Doc” was launched on April 1, and includes a $1000 reward to be paid in gold to the first person who provides the name of a physician who signs a 5-year contract to practice in Verona. (Visit www.veronacommunity.on.ca for more details.)

Lansdell, who has always loved to cook (she has 200 plus cookbooks in her kitchen), thought a community cookbook would be great way to raise money - not just a straight-ahead cookbook but one that includes heirloom recipes plus a bit of local history.

“I thought what a neat way to raise money and also a way to record some of our local history… if we don’t start writing some of these local stories down for future generations, they will be lost.”

For Nancy, cooking has always been closely tied to history, specifically her family history. She has fond memories assisting her grandmother Maggie May Campsall, aka Gramma Ime, in the kitchen as a youngster and was so inspired that she wrote her first cookbook as a grade 5 student at Harrowsmith Public School.

When I spoke to Nancy at home in her kitchen, she recalled how her second cookbook came about. “After my grandmother passed away I went to her house and copied out her recipes, made them into a book, and gave it out as a Christmas gift to my siblings.”

The Find A Doc cookbook project will be Nancy’s third cookbook and she is hoping to receive a wide array of recipes and local stories from contributors. She intends to include in the book anecdotes such as how Howes Lake in Verona was changed from its original name of Long Lake, how Verona got its name and perhaps the tale of the never-found gold robbed from a train that passed between Parham and Verona.

The cookbook will also include some historic photographs like the old dance hall in Verona that was once located across from Rivendell Golf Course.

Nancy hopes to start collecting recipes, tales and photos throughout the fall and winter and to have the keepsake cookbook printed and spiral bound by February 2009 so it is ready in time for next year’s tourist season.

Anyone interested in making a contribution to the cookbook and becoming a part of local history can find a recipe form in Verona at Jitterbugs, Local Family Farms and at the Verona Lions’ canteen at the Verona Farmers’ Market. Forms can also be downloaded from the VCA’s website at www.veronacommunity.on.ca. Don’t forget to include your historic anecdotes on the back side of the form.

Anyone needing more information can contact Nancy Lansdell at 613-374-3255 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..