Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Headstone Photos Online

Headstone photos for the following cemeteries in the "Heart of the Talbot Settlement" area are available on-line; click on a name to see the photos.

Elgin County Tourism Employment Opportunity

JOB POSTING #46-11ED

Tourism Assistant

(4) Student Positions

Economic Development

Posting Date: March 22, 2011

Incumbents successful to these positions will staff various tourist booths throughout Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas providing tourists with information. Although each Tourism Assistant is responsible for one main location, all Tourism Assistants will be crossed-trained to cover hours in at least one other location. Responsibilities will include maintaining inventories of brochures, retaining tourism survey data, updating the Elgin/St. Thomas Tourism website, database development, promoting both St. Thomas and Elgin County to the general public and other duties as assigned.

A major part of the Tourism Assistant experience includes operating as a goodwill ambassador for Elgin/St. Thomas. In many cases the Tourism Assistant will be a tourist’s first exposure to the area. Visitors from around the world have signed our guest books and experienced our famous tourist attractions. This is an exciting, customer oriented position that requires an outgoing and self-motivated personality.

Hours of Work: Approx. 35 hours per week - hours will vary including weekends

Effective: May 18, 2011September 5, 2011 (**Subject to Grant Approval**)

Salary: $10.25 per hour

Qualifications:

1. Must have own transportation and a valid class ‘G’ Ontario drivers license.

2. Experience in computer software including word processing, and excel spreadsheets.

3. Pleasant, outgoing with a basic knowledge of St. Thomas and Elgin County.

4. Good time management, interpersonal, communication and problem solving skills.

5. Minimum Grade 12 graduate currently attending post secondary education facility.

6. Must be returning to full-time studies in September 2011

7. Preference will be given to residents of St. Thomas and Elgin County.

Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 1, 2011

To be considered, please submit your resume, including cover letter to:

Human Resources Assistant

450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, ON N5R 5V1

Fax: (519) 633-7785

Email: jobs@elgin-county.on.ca

www.elgincounty.ca

We are an equal opportunity Employer.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Library Activities for History Lovers

The John Kenneth Galbraith Reference Library will be hosting two programs for history lovers this spring.

Day in the Life of a Pioneer
Saturday May 14, 2011
1:30 pm

Presented by Fanshawe Pioneer Village . Participants will take part in learning and trying their hand at 19th century chores and games. This is a 90 minute program. Please preregister at 519-762-2780

19th Century Penny Rugs
Presented by Fanshawe Pioneer Village
at the John Kenneth Galbraith Reference Library
Saturday April 16, 2011
10:30 am
Cost $6.00

Participants will learn the history of the penny rug and how it became a valued piece of folk art. The workshop will include a brief presentation on the history of penny rugs and then participants will create their own penny rug to take home.
Please preregister at 519-762-2780

The John Kenneth Galbraith Reference Library is located at 236 Shackleton Street, Dutton, Ontario
Email: duttonlibrary@elgin-county.on.ca

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Backus-Page House Book Sale

The Tyrconnell Heritage Society and Backus-Page House Museum are holding a Used Book Sale (Children and Adults) on the afternoon of May 1st. We are looking for donations of good
quality books from the community.
Please contact Marketing & Membership Chairperson, Angela Foreman-Bobier for drop off details.
Cell: 519-317-8255 Email: mailto:angelabobier@yahoo.ca

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Arts and Cookery Bank News

If you have not had a chance to visit the Arts and Cookery Bank, check this out:

Join in The Total Immersion Experience

If you’ve ever been ‘confuddled’ by the vast array of oils and salts now available in the grocery store, or if there’s an herb in your spice rack or growing in your garden you’ve never known how to use, these Total Immersion demos will help ‘defuddle’ you.

Each two-hour demonstration, dedicated to one of these superb, essential ingredients, will teach you how to use them innovatively to enliven your meals. Approach the oils, salts and herbs aisles with more confidence! Know the difference between a dash and a splash! Add the right flavour with a knowledgeable flourish! A salt or oil, or herb by any other name…makes all the difference.

Come for an evening of watching and tasting. Sessions are from 6:30 pm—8:30 pm

The Dates:

Thursday—March 10, 2011 Kim Saunders---Herbs

Thursday—March 24, 2011 Felipe Gomes—Spices & Salts

Thursday—March 31, 2011 Jill Wilcox—Oils & Vinegars***

***A special fieldtrip to Jill’s Table is part of this demo experience.

On April 7 at 6:00 pm, Jill will host The Arts & Cookery Bank guests

for a private walk through of her store. Plan to join the group and get an up close and personal review of all the fabulous ingredients.

Fees: $55.00 NOTE: Register for all three sessions and receive 15% off on your entire registration! Call for details.

You will receive a charitable donation receipt of $25 for each class purchased.

For more details see our website and follow us on Facebook.

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter (CookeryBank)

Check us out: www.theartsandcookerybank.com

member of Savour Elgin

242 Graham Rd, PO Box 174

West Lorne, ON N0L 2P0

(519)768-9986

email:tammy@theartsandcookerybank.com

Monday, March 14, 2011

Elgin Historical Society

The Elgin Historical Society was originally established in 1891 as the Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute. This local organization works to discover and preserve the history of the Elgin area. The Tyrconnell Heritage Society is pleased to provide the EHS's 2011 Event Calendar. The EHS will visit the Tyrconnell area on May 25th for the annual Talbot Toast at Thomas Talbot's graveside followed by a meeting at the Backus-Page House. If you'd like to learn more about the Elgin Historical Society or attend one of their activities email Grant at gghughson@hotmail.com


Elgin Historical Society
Events Calendar 2011

February: Date and Time: Wednesday 23rd at 7:30pm
Location: Elgin Military Museum
Event: Quilts and the Underground Railway presented by Mrs. Brodie.

March: Date and Time: Wednesday 23rd at 6:00-6:15pm (Old Mill Restaurant) 7:15-7:30pm (Annandale Museum)
Location: Annandale Museum and Old Mill Restaurant in Tillsonburg.
Event: Dinner at the Old Mil Restaurant
Tour of Annandale Museum by local historical society member followed by meeting and refreshments
Total cost $30.00

April: Date and Time: Wednesday 27th at 7:30pm
Location: Elgin County Museum
Event: Elgin County Courthouse Archeological Dig presented by Archivist Holly Martelle

May: Date and Time: Wednesday 25th at 7:00pm
Location: Tyrconnell and Backus-Page House for Business Meeting
Event: Toast to Talbot given by James Reaney

June: Date and Time: Wednesday 22nd at 7:00pm
Location: Hepburn Farm Barn
Event: An Evening Garden Tea followed by a night in the Hepburn Barn with videos presented by Peter Hepburn.

September: Date and Time: Wednesday 28th at 7:00pm
Location: Elgin County Railway Museum
Event: Museum Tour with a meeting in the Artifacts Room to follow.

October: Date and Time: Wednesday 26th -arrival 7:00, start tours at 7:30pm
Location: Gay Lea Museum
Event: Museum Tour

November: Date and Time: to be confirmed
Location: to be confirmed
Event: Remembrance Week Event with guest speaker

December: Date and Time: To be determined by OGS
Location: To be determined by OGS.
Event: Christmas Party with Ontario Genealogical Society and Elgin Historical Society

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

2011 Event Calendar

2011 Event Calendar

Clean Up Day
April 16, 2011
9am
Backus-Page House Museum and Grounds
Come lend a hand getting the museum and site ready for the opening of the 2011 season.
Call 519-762-3072 if you'd liek to come out to help clean up the park trail, estate grounds and/or the museum. You don't have to be a member to help out and it's a great way to contribute to your community!
Members Night
April 30, 2011
Backus-Page Carriage House

We would like to say thank you to our members and volunteers without whom the Backus-Page House would not be able to operate. Save the date and come out to enjoy food, friends and fun at the Carriage House. Look for details in our spring newsletter.
Museum Opening Day Celebration
Sunday May 1, 2011
12-4:30 pm
Backus-Page House

The Tyrconnell Heritage Society and staff at the Backus-Page House will mark the start of the 2011 museum season with a social gathering, used book sale (children and adults) and light refreshments.

Relive the Talbot Settlement
Backus-Page House
May 27 & 28, 2011

Friday May 27th - Pioneer Education Day
The Backus-Page House plays host to a cadre of re-enactors and literally hundreds of students during our Pioneer Education Day. Scheduled activities offer the opportunity for students to catch a glimpse of a bygone era through period demonstrations and an exploration of the skill and lifestyle of early pioneers in Upper Canada. The public is welcome to attend but is advised to call ahead for times and admission prices.

Saturday May 28th - 10am-4:30pm - Talbot Settlement Reenactment
The grounds of the Backus Page House will come alive with sutlers, reenactors, First Nations history interpreters and live entertainment. Come enjoy food, shopping, displays, performers and military reenactments. Gate opens at 10am. Call for additional information and admission prices.

Strawberry Social
June 26, 2011 – 1pm
Backus-Page House

Come enjoy the bounty of our county and our community heritage as the Tyrconnell Heritage Society hosts an 1850s Strawberry Social.

Backus-Page House Adventure Day Camp
July 18th- 22nd and August 8th-12th 2011
Backus-Page House

Children ages 6 to 10 are welcome to come take part in adventure and discovery, make new friends and learn about our pioneer past and the great outdoors. Preregistration is required. Contact the Carriage House at 519-762-3072 or visit us at www.backuspagehouse.ca for more info.

Heritage Farm Show
September 3rd &4th , 2011
Backus-Page House

Come out Labour Day Weekend to enjoy our annual Heritage Farm Show at the Backus-Page House located just south of Wallacetown. Demonstrations planned over the two-day event include threshing, baling, working farm horses and historic farming interpretive displays. Sunday pancake breakfast and worship service. There will barbeque available for purchase both days.

Harvest Dinner
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Lakeview Gardens, Eagle

Cocktails at 6 pm and dinner at 6:30 pm- Live and silent auction, entertainment to follow. Ticket will be available late Summer 2011

Backus-Page Christmas Dinner
Saturday December 3, 2011
Backus-Page House

Come enjoy a 19th century Victorian Christmas Dinner to be served at the Backus-Page House Museum. Tickets are $100 per seat and will be available for purchase Spring of 2011.

Eva Brook Donly Museum and Archives Book Launch

On Saturday March 19th, the Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives will host historian and prolific author David Beasley as he launches yet another book. This newest publication will appeal to anyone interested in the War of 1812, in particular the capture of Detroit by British forces and the subsequent invasion of American forces onto Canadian soil.

“A Canadian Campaign: Operations of the Right Division of the Army of Upper Canada, During the American War of 1812, by a British Officer” was originally written by Major John Richardson

Not issued since its first publication in the 1820s, ‘A Canadian Campaign’ narrates Richardson’s experiences with the 41st Regiment of Foot from the Battle of Fort Detroit through the Battle of the Thames and his imprisonment in Kentucky. Vivid descriptions of the American Indian nations fighting under Tecumseh, the hardships of the campaigns, and the tribulations of imprisonment make it a unique and invaluable contribution to the upcoming celebrations commemorating the War of 1812.

Another of Richardson’s own works has been included in this same publication. Not seen since 1841, ‘Recollections of the West Indies’ describes Richardson’s military experience on Barbados and Grenada from 1816 to 1818 within West Indian society and denounces slavery with such poignant examples that the essay must have influenced English parliamentarians to abolish it.

In the bonus essay ‘In Search of Richardson’s Spain’ Beasley retraces the march of the British Legion over the Cantabrica Mountains as described by Richardson in his Journal in 1835, contrasting then to now.

The book launch will take place at the Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives between 2:00 and 3:30pm on Saturday March 19th. The Museum is located at 109 Norfolk St. S. in downtown Simcoe. Copies of the book will be available to purchase for $15; other books by Beasley are also for sale in the Museum gift shop.

David Beasley wrote The Canadian Don Quixote: the Life and Works of Major John Richardson, Canada’s first novelist, the definitive biography. Please see his web site: www.davuspublishing.com for further information.

Inquiries about the book launch and other activities at the Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives can be directed to 519-426-1583 or online at www.norfolklore.com

The Eva Brook Donly Museum & Archives: Your # 1 Choice for Information & Events
on the People, Places, Heritage & History of Norfolk County

Attention postcard & trade card collectors!

The new exhibition “Paper Treasures”, presented in partnership with Hallmark Canada, runs until April 25th and contains all manner of archival gems from the museum's collection.