"Tales of pioneer hardship and deprivation have been told many times. Yet still we remember in wonder, that people accomplished so much with so little; that men and women with simple tools, their bare hands, and their own inventiveness cleared the land, drained the swamps, made their own clothing and provided their own food. Through all these difficulties God was with them and they wanted their children educated intellectually and spritually." from Norfolk Street United Church history

Friday, October 28, 2011

Remembering the Military History of Wellington County

photo credit: Wellington County Museum & Archives ph31682

Presented by the Wellington County Historical Society

Sunday, November 6, 2011


FERGUS, Ontario October 28, 2011 - Join us on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 pm to learn about Wellington County's involvement in the military from the early 1800's to the present day.

Presented by the Wellington County Historical Society, speaker Ross Irwin, a veteran of World War II and a member of the Wellington County Historical Society, will speak on the contributions and involvement of people from the County in historical and current military engagements.

This event is open to the public free of charge.

It will be an afternoon of celebrating our County's military achievements and is sure to be rewarding. The presentation will be in the Nicholas Keith Room and will be followed by discussion and refreshments. It will be held at the Wellington County Museum and Archives located on Wellington Road #18 between Fergus and Elora.


Friday, October 21, 2011

McCrae House marks Remembrance Week with return of Guelph Amateur Radio Club



GUELPH, Ontario October 21, 2011 - City of Guelph Media Release - Remembrance traditions continue at McCrae House with the return of the Guelph Amateur Radio Club. Now in its 23rd season, the group will again be sending and receiving remembrance messages at the birthplace of John McCrae from Sunday, November 6 to Friday, November 11.

Members of the Radio Club look forward to contacting, via the airwaves, ham radio enthusiasts around the world. This is their opportunity to acknowledge Remembrance Day and exchange thoughts on its significance. The Club also assists the Museum in educating children and adult groups taking part in Remembrance programs offered throughout the week. Students, as well as the general public, are invited to share their thoughts and reacquaint themselves with John McCrae.

McCrae House is the birthplace of John McCrae, doctor, soldier and author of the poem In Flanders Fields, one of the best known First World War poems. McCrae’s poem is credited with initiating the use of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

Join us on Friday, November 11th beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the McCrae Garden for a short Remembrance Service organized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch 234 followed by John McCrae Public School’s Remembrance Assembly. All are welcome. Admission to McCrae House on Remembrance Day is by donation and the House is open until 5:00 p.m.

McCrae House is located at 108 Water Street. Open daily 1-5 p.m. leading up to Remembrance Day and open Remembrance Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Regular admission to the museum is: Adults- $4.00, Seniors & Students - $3.00, Families $10.00. Please contact Guelph Museums at 836-1221, ext. 2773 for more information.


Daguerreotypes at Harvard


1852 Tom Thumb, 1837-1883

by Charles Sherwood Stratton

Daguerreotypes at Harvard: Harvard University Library. Images are selected from Harvard University's libraries, archives, special collections, and museums to support teaching, learning, and research.

Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre first introduced the daguerreotype in 1839 in and it was the first publicly announced photographic process. Daguerreotypes are produced by treating a silver-coated copper plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and developing it with a mercury vapor.

Harvard University has collected these unique documents for over 150 years, and this digital collection provides interested parties with access to some of these items.

Visitors can look at class photos of Harvard students, along with portraits of Henry James, Jenny Lind, and James McNeill Whistler. These portraits can be found in the "Portrait Sitters" area, along with those of Martin Van Buren and Horatio Alger.

The site also contains links to a complete directory of photographs at Harvard and a detailed research guide. [KMG]

Visit Daguerreotypes at Harvard

>From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2011.
http://scout.wisc.edu/


Trou Story by Richard Desjardins and Robert Monderie in Quebec theatres as of November 4


Montreal, October 19, 2011 – The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is launching public screenings throughout Quebec of Trou Story ( The Hole Story), a documentary by Richard Desjardins and Robert Monderie that sheds light on Canada's mining industry. In this work, the two filmmakers return to the hard-hitting style of their earlier film Forest Alert, creating a damning exposé of the Canadian mining industry using photos, rare archival footage and interviews to shock the viewer. Trou Story adopts an historical approach, denouncing the enormous profits raked in by mining companies at the expense of the environment and workers' health. Produced by Colette Loumède, Trou Story will have its world premiere at the Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue on October 30, before opening in theatres throughout Quebec on November 4.

The filmmakers

In 1999, Robert Monderie and Richard Desjardins caused an uproar in Quebec's forestry industry with their film Forest Alert (ACPAV/NFB). In 1977, their film A Raging Disaster proved to be a powerful denunciation of the painful beginnings of colonization in Abitibi, where they were both born. In 2007, the filmmakers collaborated in making The Invisible Nation (NFB), shattering our indifference in the face of the poverty silently endured by the Algonquin people. In addition to their work in film, both men pursue their passions in other fields. Robert Monderie is a professional photographer, while Richard Desjardins is busy touring following the huge success of his albums Tu m'aimes-tu?, Les Derniers humains, Boom Boom, Kanasuta and L'existoire.



About the NFB

Canada's public producer and distributor, the National Film Board of Canada creates interactive works, social-issue documentaries, auteur animation and alternative dramas that provide the world with a unique Canadian perspective. The NFB is developing the entertainment forms of the future in groundbreaking interactive productions, while pioneering new directions in 3D stereoscopic film, community-based media, and more. It works in collaboration with emerging and established filmmakers, digital media creators and co-producers in every region of Canada, with Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities, as well as partners around the world. Since the NFB's founding in 1939, it has created over 13,000 productions and won over 5,000 awards, including 4 Webbys, 12 Oscars and more than 90 Genies. Over 2,000 NFB productions can be streamed online, at the NFB.ca Screening Room as well as via partnerships with the world's leading video portals, while the NFB's growing family of apps for smartphones, tablets and connected TV delivers the experience of cinema to Canadians everywhere.

The Hole Story trailer


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Health Care Heroes Named to The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame


OTTAWA, October 19, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - When it comes to health care and health research, Canadians have much to be proud of. We have an incredibly rich history of discovery and achievement.

To celebrate those whose extraordinary contributions have made the world a better place, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame honours a select few every year.

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame - the only one of its kind in the world - is proud to announce that its 2012 inductees are:

Dr. John James Rickard (J.J.R.) Macleod (1876-1935)

Terry Fox (1958-1981)

Dr. Armand Frappier (1904-1991)

Dr. Peter T. Macklem (1931-2011)

Dr. John Dirks

Dr. F. Clarke Fraser

Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui


Dr. John James Rickard (J.J.R.) Macleod is now recognized for collaborating in one of the most important breakthroughs in medicine. Known internationally at the time for his research in carbohydrate metabolism and physiology, Dr. Macleod was recruited to the University of Toronto where he directed the research that led to the discovery and clinical use of insulin as an effective therapy for diabetes. Following the breakthrough in 1922, Dr. Macleod shared the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Dr. Frederick Banting.

Terry Fox's run to raise money for cancer research in 1980 is an enduring symbol of the commitment and determination of one individual to find a cure - shared now by millions of people who participate in Terry Fox events all over the world. Today, the Foundation in his name has raised hundreds of millions of dollars. Terry's father and brother, Rolly and Darrell, will accept the Hall of Fame honour at the induction ceremony in Toronto in March.

Dr. Armand Frappier was a driving force in the deadly battle against tuberculosis and in the 1930s became an advocate for full-scale, anti-tuberculosis vaccinations in North America. He founded the first institution dedicated to medical research in Quebec, now known as the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier. During the polio epidemic of the 1950s, he introduced the Salk vaccine. Dr. Frappier is also recognized for his work in the development of freeze-drying human serum in collaboration with the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Red Cross during WWII.

Recognized worldwide as a giant of respiratory medicine, Dr. Peter T. Macklem's work constitutes the scientific foundation for our ongoing campaign against smoking. Having led a brilliant career at McGill University Health Centre's Royal Victoria Hospital, Dr. Macklem forever changed the face of respiratory medicine by pioneering the study of small airway physiology and identifying the early pulmonary damage caused by smoking, among other contributions.

Dr. John H. Dirks of Toronto has elevated Canadian and international science and education to unprecedented heights. He is perhaps best known for transforming the Gairdner Foundation International Awards, often referred to as 'Canada's Nobel Prizes', into one of the most prestigious awards programs for medical research in the world. In a career now spanning five decades, Dr. Dirks has made huge impacts in every field he has touched, including scientific and academic achievements in nephrology (kidney function and disease).

Raised and currently living in Nova Scotia, Dr. F. Clarke Fraser is an iconic figure in Canadian medicine and was one of the creators of the discipline of medical genetics in North America. He founded the first Canadian medical genetics department in a paediatric hospital, aptly named the F. Clarke Fraser Clinical Genetics Centre at McGill University, in 1995. He also laid the foundations in the field of Genetic Counselling, which has enhanced the lives of patients worldwide.

Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui made what is described as the most significant breakthrough in human genetics in 50 years, namely the discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene. Born in Shanghai, China, and coming to the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in the early 1980s, Dr. Tsui has made extraordinary contributions to science through his discoveries and is a leader in developing the field of genomics in Canada and throughout the world.

To help celebrate the occasion of this announcement, over a dozen Hall of Fame laureates from past years were kind enough to share their views on the state of health care and health research in Canada. Their intriguing and insightful comments are summarized in the accompanying document.

The seven inductees announced today will join the ranks of 88 laureates who have been similarly honoured since 1994.

"These individuals have truly made a difference in the lives of Canadians, and indeed, people around the world. They have blazed trails, inspired others to follow, and extended the boundaries of medical knowledge and health care," said Dr. Cecil Rorabeck, Board Chair of the Hall of Fame. "We are in their debt, and we honour them for their great service to humankind."


The 2012 Induction Ceremony, presented by BMO Harris Private Banking, will be held for the first time in Toronto on March 21. Over 500 of Canada's leading citizens will join honourary chair Dr. David Naylor, University of Toronto President, committee chairs Dr. Catharine Whiteside, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and Dr. Mark Poznansky, President and CEO of Ontario Genomics Institute, and other distinguished guests for an evening of inspiration and celebration.

Biographies of the inductees are available at http://www.cdnmedhall.org/induction

About The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Established in 1994, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is the only national Hall of Fame in the world dedicated to celebrating medical heroes. By creating an enduring tribute to those men and women who through discovery and innovation have contributed to better health in Canada and the world, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inspires the pursuit of careers in the health sciences fostering future innovators and leaders.

About BMO Harris Private Banking

BMO Harris Private Banking is a team of remarkably talented and passionate professionals with diverse expertise who are dedicated to creating a profound impact on the lives of their clients. Backed by the heritage, stability and resources of BMO Financial Group, professionals at BMO Harris Private Banking are responsible for the successful management of wealth by providing expert advice and highly personalized services in banking, investment management, estate, trust, succession planning and philanthropic services - all in a coordinated and confident approach. BMO Harris Private Banking challenges successful Canadian families to take action on what's important to drive exceptional outcomes and make the most of the opportunities wealth provides.


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Canadian Government Launches iPhone / iPad App for the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812


OTTAWA, October 13, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Government today launched a new mobile application that will allow more people across Canada to participate in the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and learn about this significant chapter in our nation's history. The War of 1812 App was launched today by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

"Our Government understands the importance of educating Canadians of all ages about the historical significance of the War of 1812," said Minister Moore. "Knowing more about the War increases our awareness of Canada's origins and the sources of our freedom and democracy. With this app, we hope to encourage Canadians, especially our young people, to take pride in this anniversary that is so important for Canada."


The new app includes information about key battles, heroes, and related national historic sites. Other interactive features will be introduced in the lead up to the official start of the 200th anniversary of the War on June 18, 2012.

The new War of 1812 iPhone / iPad application is available, free of charge, at www.1812.gc.ca. Users of BlackBerry smartphones and other mobile devices can access the content at m.1812.gc.ca.

The Government of Canada recently unveiled its plans for the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Over the next four years, the Government will invest to increase Canadians' awareness of this defining moment in our history. This will include support for:

...a pan-Canadian educational campaign focused on the importance of the War of 1812 to Canada's history;

...support for up to 100 historical re-enactments, commemorations, and local events;

...a permanent 1812 memorial located in the National Capital Region;

...interactive tours, exhibits, and improvements to national historic sites across the country;

...investments in infrastructure at key 1812 battle sites, such as Fort Mississauga and Fort York, Ontario;

...celebrating and honouring the links that many of our current militia regiments in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada have to the War of 1812.

More details about planned activities are available on the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 website at www.1812.gc.ca/apps.


Friday, October 14, 2011

Canadian Government to Honour General Sir Arthur Currie


STRATHROY, Ontario, October 12, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Museum Strathroy-Caradoc will be able to share the story of General Sir Arthur Currie with Canadians, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

The Museum will create, present, and circulate a travelling exhibition about the life and career of Strathroy native General Sir Arthur Currie. This project will trace Currie's journey to become Canada's top military leader during World War I and the first Canadian to attain the rank of full general.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in the preservation of our heritage," said Minister Moore. "By supporting this project, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."


"The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to this travelling exhibit, which facilitates access to our heritage," said Mr. Shipley. "By sharing the history of General Sir Arthur Currie, a significant Canadian historical figure, our Government is ensuring that our story continues to be told."


"Museum Strathroy-Caradoc is honoured by the support of the Government of Canada for this most worthy project," said Andrew Meyer, Community Development Manager, Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc. "Not only will the General Sir Arthur Currie Travelling Exhibit Project contribute to a greater sense of community pride and identity, but it will serve to increase national awareness and recognition for Currie and his achievements."


The Government of Canada has provided funding of $39,980 through the Access to Heritage Component of the Museums Assistance Program. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage provides funding to Canadian museums and related institutions for projects that foster excellence in museum activities and that facilitate access to the treasures of our collective heritage.


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Government of Canada Launches the Commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812


NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario, October 11, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Government today launched the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. This War helped establish our path toward becoming an independent and free country, united under the Crown with a respect for linguistic and ethnic diversity.

"The heroic efforts of those who fought for our country in the War of 1812 tell the story of the Canada we know today: an independent and free country with a constitutional monarchy and its own distinct parliamentary system," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is an opportunity for all of us to take pride in our history, and we look forward to taking part in the events and activities that will mark this important anniversary for Canada."


Over the next four years, the Government will invest to increase Canadians' awareness of this defining moment in our history. This will include support for:

...a pan-Canadian educational campaign focused on the importance of the War of 1812 to Canada's history;

...support for up to 100 historical re-enactments, commemorations, and local events;

...a permanent 1812 memorial located in the National Capital Region;

...interactive tours, six exhibits, and improvements to three national historic sites across the country;

...investments in infrastructure at key 1812 battle sites, such as Fort Mississauga and Fort York, Ontario;

...celebrating and honouring the links that many of our current militia regiments in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada have to the War of 1812.

October 2012 will also be designated as a month of commemoration of the heroes and key battles of the War of 1812.

"Had the War of 1812 ended differently, the Canada we know today would not exist. The war laid the foundation for Confederation and the cornerstones of our political institutions," said Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. "Local activities here in Niagara and across our great country showcase this defining historic moment, while also boosting tourism and strengthening our economy."


The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is just one of many events that are bringing Canadians together as the country moves closer to Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017. Other key anniversaries include the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the 200th anniversary of the Selkirk Settlement, the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup in 2012, the 200th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald in 2015, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Dieppe in 2017, and the 25th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2019.

Fort George was the headquarters of the British Army in Upper Canada (Ontario) during the War, including at the time of the historic battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812. In that battle, invading forces were repelled, but Major-General Sir Isaac Brock lost his life fighting at the head of his troops. It was destroyed on May 25, 1813, when it was captured and occupied by US forces two days later. The fort was then retaken by the British in December 1813.

Details on planned activities will be made available on the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 website at www.1812.gc.ca.

The War of 1812 - The Fight for Canada

During the commemoration of the War of 1812, the Government of Canada will remember and honour how Canadians from diverse backgrounds and regions came together to fight for Canada, ensuring the independent destiny of our country.

...Canada would not exist had the American invasion of 1812-1814 not been repelled. For that reason, the War of 1812 was a defining chapter in our history.

...The War laid the foundation for Confederation and the cornerstones of many of our political institutions.

...Had the War ended differently, Quebec's French-speaking identity would not exist and the history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples would have been profoundly altered.

...The War was instrumental in the creation of Canada's military. Many Canadian reserve regiments in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada trace their origins to the War.

...The regiments that defended Canada, local volunteer militias, and First Nations allies include a long list of Canadian heroes, including Sir Isaac Brock, Tecumseh, John Norton, and Charles-Michel de Salaberry, as well as others like Laura Secord who helped defend our country in a time of crisis.

...It took the combined efforts of English- and French-speaking militias and Aboriginal Canadians, together with British military forces, to succeed in defeating the American invasion.
These heroic efforts tell the story of the Canada we know today: an independent and free country with a constitutional monarchy and its own parliamentary system.

...The signing of the Treaty of Ghent (and other treaties that followed) confirmed the border between Canada and the United States, which is now the world's longest undefended border and an example of nations coexisting peacefully side by side.

The commemoration of the War of 1812 will provide Canadians across the country with a unique opportunity to participate in national and local initiatives to highlight this defining moment in our history. Over the next four years, the Government of Canada will invest in a series of activities that will highlight the importance of the War of 1812 and its impact on the Canada we know today. Canadians will have an opportunity to connect with each other, experience our history, and learn about many of our heroes.

Investments in local events, activities, and legacy projects are designed to increase awareness, improve understanding of this defining event, while boosting tourism and strengthening the economy.

An additional $20.8 million has already been invested by Infrastructure Canada and Parks Canada as part of the Economic Action Plan for infrastructure and capital improvements to 11 historic sites across Canada associated with the War of 1812, such as Fort Malden, Fort Chambly, and the St. Andrews Blockhouse.

Federal departments and agencies will also develop 1812-themed initiatives within their existing programming, such as commemorative coins and stamps, Winterlude Celebrations in Canada's Capital Region, and Black History Month. An educational and interactive website ( www.eighteentwelve.ca) on the history of the War of 1812 has been developed in partnership with Parks Canada, the Historica Dominion Institute, and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces will celebrate the links that many of our current militia regiments in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada have to the War of 1812, as well as honour the sacrifices that were made so long ago on battlefields in central and eastern Canada.

This commemoration is just one of the many events that are bringing Canadians together and will continue to link us in the years to come. These include:

...the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the 200th anniversary of the Selkirk Settlement, and the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup (2012);

...the 200th birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald (2015);

...the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 100th anniversary of the NHL, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Dieppe (2017);

...Canada's 150th anniversary (2017); and

...The 25th anniversary of NAFTA (2019).


S.S. Keewatin coming home to Canada


photo credit: "Canadian Pacific Railway Steamer Keewatin leaving Port McNicoll, Ontario. (CNW Group/Skyline International Development Inc.)"

Last Edwardian-era Great Lakes steamship in the world being repatriated
to original home in Port McNicoll, Ont.


TORONTO, October 13, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - An illustrious piece of Canadian maritime history is finally coming home.

Skyline International Development Inc. ( www.skylineinvestments.com) has announced an agreement with Douglas, Mich. entrepreneur R.J. Peterson to purchase and repatriate the S.S. Keewatin—the crown jewel in the Canadian Pacific Railway's once-mighty Great Lakes Steamship fleet—to its original home in Port McNicoll, Ont. Municipal council in Tay Township, which encompasses Port McNicoll, has passed a motion allowing the vessel to return.

The agreement follows four years of negotiation to relocate S.S. Keewatin from Saugatuck, Mich., where she has been docked since 1967, after being purchased by the Peterson family and converted into a maritime museum. The Edwardian-era vessel, launched July 6, 1907, was retired in 1966 after spending almost 60 seasons ferrying passengers from Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay, to Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) on Lake Superior.

"We are thrilled to return the world's last Edwardian passenger steamship to the people of Tay Township and Canada," said Skyline chairman and president Gil Blutrich. "As a passionate maritime history enthusiast, I became interested in the Keewatin's remarkable history, its preservation and importance to this beautiful part of the country decades ago. I believe the Keewatin will deliver both tourism dollars and wonderful memories to the community for years to come."


The ship was purchased by Skyline Development and will be donated to the R.J. and Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Keewatin Foundation, which will operate and maintain the vessel as a maritime museum. The Keewatin will be moored in a new waterfront park in Port McNicoll—mere steps from the original location where it was originally tied. The park will feature a replica of the town's original train station and surrounding English Royal gardens.

"The Keewatin truly is one of a kind," said Eric Conroy, author of the book A Steak In the Drawer, which details his experiences working on the Keewatin as a 17-year-old. Conroy, a long-time Keewatin volunteer who worked alongside Blutrich to negotiate her repatriation, will chair the R.J. and Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Keewatin Foundation. "This announcement is particularly important for me because it brings my earliest memories of the Keewatin full circle. There are many people in our community who have a decades-long connection to Keewatin and wish to share that passion with their children. My focus now is on building a cross-generational volunteer organization to ensure this Edwardian treasure remains an important part of our lives."


Tay Township mayor Scott Warnock is confident the vessel will become one of the area's most important tourist attractions.

"Once this plan is fully approved by council, we feel the S.S. Keewatin and the planned park development on Port McNicoll's waterfront could attract hundreds of thousand of tourists each year," he said. "While she spent most of her life transporting passengers and cargo to ports across the Great Lakes, Keewatin is now poised to deliver major economic and cultural benefits to Tay Township and the entire region."


Dredging of the Kalamazoo River—funded by the R.J. and Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Keewatin Foundation—is currently underway to allow the vessel to be towed to the mouth of Lake Michigan, where Blutrich will meet Peterson in June, 2012, to officially hand over the vessel. From there, S.S. Keewatin will be towed to its home in Port McNicoll where restoration work will be completed to return the ship to her original early 20th century grandeur.

Built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Scotland as Hull No. 453, the Keewatin, along with her sister ship S.S. Assiniboia, were the first Great Lakes ships to boast radar. The 350-foot long Keewatin carried 288 passengers with a crew of 86, and cruised at a top speed of 14 knots.

Constructed five years before the ill-fated voyage of RMS Titanic, Keewatin features many of the same design and construction features of her ill-fated cousin including a quadruple expansion steam engine and "Scottish" boilers, as well as a grand staircase, Edwardian dining saloon, hand painted Italian glass and oak trim throughout. Strict fire codes and faster modes of transportation made the wood-cabined vessel largely obsolete by the mid-1960s.

About Skyline International Development Inc.:

Skyline is a leader in the operation and development of hospitality resorts and destination communities in downtown Toronto and across some of Ontario's most important resort regions including Simcoe County, Georgian Bay and the Muskokas. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Gil Blutrich in 1998, Skyline boasts a surging asset base that has grown from $26 million to $245 million in little more than a decade. The company employs a staff of 1,500 and has more than 1,052 hectares of land and 1,000 rooms and suites in its holdings, including premiere resort and destination communities such as Port McNicoll near Midland, Ont., Deerhurst Resort and Horseshoe Resort. Skyline's unique urban asset mix includes Toronto's boutique Pantages and Cosmopolitan Hotels, as well as the iconic Le Meridien King Edward Hotel—a partnership between Dundee Realty Corp., developer Alex Shnaider, Skyline International Development Inc., and Serruya Realty Group Inc. Skylife, the company's innovative lifestyle program, provides its resort community residents and members with unlimited access to activities such as golf and skiing, as well as discounts on spa services and hotel rooms in Canada and around the world. For more information, visit www.skylineinvestments.com


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Library Community Marks the Beginning of Canadian Library Month

photo credit: Pete Ashton via Flickr

Celebrations Highlight Valuable Role of Canada's Libraries

OTTAWA, October 4, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Library Association (CLA) is proud to announce that October has been designated as Canadian Library Month. The idea for a month dedicated to library and information services in Canada was developed by library partners from across the country to help raise public awareness of the important role that libraries play in the lives of Canadians.

This year's theme is Your Library: A Place Unbound, which suggests that, as part of a changing world, libraries are growing and expanding their resources as they connect people to information and reading.

"From coast to coast to coast, libraries are without boundaries, places of endless opportunity where Canadians have an equal right to access resources," said CLA President Karen Adams. "As members of the library community, we couldn't be more thrilled to celebrate libraries and highlight just how valuable they are to Canadians".


While libraries are evolving to meet the needs of Canadians, they continue to be at the centre of their communities, a place where people learn, engage and connect with each other. "Libraries play a key role in providing all Canadians with access to the material that is integral to ensuring that they are regular contributors to the economic, social and cultural success of their communities," said CLA Executive Director, Kelly Moore.

And with advancements in technology come innovations such as digital and downloadable books, music, movies, Internet access, electronic databases, eReaders, gaming, and the utilization of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, appealing to a whole new generation of library users.

Across the country, libraries will be holding a variety of events to highlight the impact of libraries in their communities. CLA encourages members of the library community to visit www.cla.ca/clm11/, where you will find valuable ideas and information on this special month.

"Canadian Library Month is an opportunity for us to celebrate libraries and those who work in them as well as to advocate for the incredible range of resources and services they provide," concluded Adams. "Please join us in the celebrations and showcase Your Library: A Place Unbound"!


The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA/ACB) is Canada's largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.


Sunday, October 2, 2011

British Home Child Day - September 28


Between 1869 and the late 1940s, over 100,000 orphaned and abandoned children arrived in Canada from Great Britain. Up to 70,000 settled in Ontario.

These homeless children, ages 6 months to 18, were sent by organizations who believed Canadian families would welcome them into their lives.

Many worked as farmhands and servants for room and board and faced considerable challenges and hardships. But with great courage and determination, many went on to live productive lives.

Estimates are that one in 10 Ontarians can trace their ancestry to a British home child. To recognize and honour the contributions of these children, on June 1, 2011, Ontario passed the British Home Child Day Act, designating September 28 as British Home Child Day.

Through their dedication and hard work, British home children have built a lasting legacy in Ontario that will continue to be recognized.

For more information visit www.children.gov.on