Decoration Day Newmarket True Vet @ 69

I am a bit ashamed to say I never, before Sunday past, really understood the significance of Decoration Day nor why it was separate from the more well known Remembrance Day which I've attended and covered much of in the past, and in fact even produced a one-off old variety style radio show live to the troops one year which featured many local talents including Sean Stephens (now CEO of Tree Frog Interactive), Hurricane Mike Thompson, and as I recall an excellent capela youth group sent from the now passed Merlene Samuel - Cephas' Spotlight Theatre school grads who sang more than O Canada live to the troops via our radio show!

More recently I was involved in produce/directing a series of taped video interviews featuring prominent voices from Newmarket's history who have lived here for so many years, often with family who helped sjape the area including the daughter of the areas first police chief. But it was 93 year old Reg Harrison who stood out most to me, his face striking me as one that held so many experiences only someone going through the war from that era could know. Reg proudly came out to share with us in that interview with aid of a walker and enjoyed it too I think. So it was a great to see him once again as he took a spot to attend the 69th edition of the Newmarket's hosting of Decoration Day hosted by the Newmarket Vets Association.

I had attended Decoration Day last year but still was unclear about it's true meaning until this year when asked if I would assist in laying a wreath in recognition of fallen and homeless soldiers, in solidarity with the local Inn From The Cold Shelter. Although I have no official connection to the Inn, I appreciated the inclusion, I guess having been recognized as a person who has worked towards making changes locally in areas that afflict the homeless and was honoured regardless to be asked to be part of such a tribute day.

Ironically I have been actively working with the owner of a property just north of Green Lane in Sharon, Ontario to develop it into a unique, supportive home with built-in community and mental health supports and to that end have approached the Ontario office that assists adjusting and homeless veterans find suitable / affordable housing and supports to see if there would be a need - and indeed there is. Now using the working name of, the House of Hope, the property owner plans to be a hands-on operator and is excited at the prospect of it becoming a supportive home as its interior fixes come closer to being completed. Let's hope. Click here to follow its progress on Face Book.

Canadian Decoration Day

Originally started on June 2 1890, Decoration Day was started as sort of a protest in order to have fallen and wounded soldiers and their families recognized by the federal government of the times. In fact they were the very first Canadian led brigades to fight a foe, battling in Fort Erie repelling the Fenian raids which were made up of a mixture of anti-British Irish and American soldiers which included the Battle of Ridgeway in 1866.

The hardships endured by those maimed and killed and then their families suddenly devoid of the breadwinner as well can only be imagined and was started by other soldiers themselves, dropping flowers at the Canadian Volunteers Monument at Queens Park, and has been kept up in recognition since - for the past 69 in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada where in 2017 the special guest speaker was the Ontario Housing Minister as well as homelessness fixer designate no less, Chris Ballard, who spoke in reminder of its meaning and asked us to imagine being their families. It was suitable an Ontario representative spoke as Ontario did give some recognition / support to those soldiers whereas the feds did not.

MPP Chris Ballard

Interesting to see the young up and comers taking part but there's a world of difference today and one can only imagine the horrors guys like Reggie Harrison saw fighting to keep us safe and enabling the very lives we too often take for granted today. I caught Reggie once again as he and his son exited the Vets Hall, the Mayor holding the door for me as he exited and I prepared to enter. Reggie's son was carrying a street sign called Harrison Trail and with Mayor Van Bynen having just left it didn't take a rocket scientist. For once I agree with a street naming by a politician wholeheartedly.

" Geez Reg I missed it! I said, " I didn't know they were doing this or I'd have come right way. I didn't get a pic!"

" We can get one outside", his proud son replied.

And we did! You can catch Reg Harrison's full History Hound interview here as produced by TPE.

We now add forevermore Randy Leaman's name to the crosses on Decoration Day

Vet Decoration Day organizer / host Wes Playter is congratulated  by Mayor Van Bynen on a good job

Spot the diff!?

Until next time!

TP out!

Aurora Silent Auction a Reminder of Past and Future

" Trees Removed on Keele St 1969" - This historical piece made available for silent auction

It slipped my memory that Artist Dorothy Clark Mclure had passed in 2012, known throughout York Region for her paintings mostly, often capturing old buildings just prior to their demolition. Or trees, as in the case of this original sepia drawing which will go into silent auction in the evening hours on Sat Feb 25 from Aw Shucks Seafood Bar & Grill in Aurora. 

So you can imagine my horror when I was arranging to pick up the artwork and realized I'd asked the person on the phone if they were Dorothy! It's hard to imagine a world without the local art and issues icon I grew up knowing of and admiring. But maybe we won't ever completely be - through her art!

More than Artist

But Ms. Mclure was much more than just an esteemed York Region Artist - she actually started out painting the Muskoka's - but a celebrated Aurora citizen who cared about her community and its history in addition to telling us so through her beautiful art, having served as head of the Aurora Historical Society, among distinguished positions held and honours bestowed upon, Dorothy in life, as well as Aurora's 2007 citizen of the year. She is and was a cherished Aurora and York Region icon that will live long beyond her years on earth through her beautiful works of art and particularly those capturing our history! And it was through inspiring examples like Dorothy Clark Mclure, that inspired young local girls, become young ladies to follow their passion and art forms.


Harmony

In a way, that's perhaps at least partially part of the inspirational message Wendy Marais, who grew up in Aurora as well, and who launched Jazzled Hearts, a non-profit to connect kids to education, music and art through safe and accessible means and now releasing the book Harmony in hard copy, would like to portray, They may never have met in person, but they may have met in spirit.

Silent Auction Features..

The evening silent auction serves as a fund raiser and will also feature a meet and greet from 7-9pm, with Self-Esteem Book Author and Jazzled Youth founder, Wendy Marais. The event hopes to raise funds to put the book into hard copies for distribution to schools and libraries.

A couple other sneak peak stand out items include a foursome play at prestigious the Royal Niagara a Kaneff golf club, and an electric Scooter provided by Ben's Bikes!

So come out and enjoy a enjoy a great dinner, or drinks, and the live entertainment, then browse through the auction goods.

Check out Harmony here

See the Press Release below for more detailed information.

For Immediate Release: P1/1 Tuesday Feb 21 2017

Attention: News Desk / Assignment Editor

RE: Fundraiser Silent Auction – Hard Copy Book Raise – Currently Available on Amazon.ca

Book Title: Harmony – self-motivation / esteem building book for kids to adults

Event Date: Sat Feb 25 2017

Event Time : 6pm - 12 am - Best Author's photo op time: 7 - 9 PM Live ONline 8-9 pm

Location Land Address – Aw Shucks Seafood Bar & Bistro, 15,230 Yonge St Aurora, Ontario
Location online Bidding - Facebook @TP Entertainment and Productions 

Event Contact @ 289-221-0928

Silent Auction Makes Noise for Kids

Join Jazzled Hearts (for youth) founder and Author of the Amazon.ca published self-motivation and esteem building book, Harmony, Wendy Marais, Saturday February 25^th. from 6pm to 12am at Aw Shucks Seafood Bar & Bistro located at 15230 Yonge St, in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.

Silent auction Items will be on display in-house from 6pm until 12 am with select items displayed live online from Aw Shucks on occasion throughout the evening on Facebook @ TPEntertainment & Productions for silent home bidders of the various items up for auction, including a Kaneff golf foursome package at Niagara's premier Royal Niagara, an electric scooter by Ben's Bikes, an original Dorothy Clark Mclure historic era sepia drawing depicting “ 1969 Trees Removal on Keele St”, signed Paige Pedlar books, jewelry, beautiful prints, and other wonderful items t.b.a.

Proceeds from the silent auction go towards printing costs for printing Harmony in hard copy for distribution to schools and libraries.

Jazzled Hearts is a non-profit dedicated to empowering children and youth through education and providing opportunities. Come check out what Jazzled Hearts have planned for 2017.

" Our youth today need as many opportunities as we as a society can give, and to that end Jazzled's mission continues to strive for the betterment our our children into adulthood." Wendy Marais