Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Inventions

Empire State Building Tombstone In The Aurora Cemetery, John W. Bowser

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:13:45 +0000

For the first fourteen years of my life I used to live in Europe in a small town, with population of three thousand people and with some an amazing historical background dated back to 14th century. Now for the last fourteen years I have been living in the Town of Aurora, a place where discoveries do not end.

Miniature Empire State Building, Aurora Cemetery

One of my blog readers Patrick Francone and former Aurora resident intrigued me to write about John W. Bowser and I am glad that he did. Another great thing to know about Aurora.

However, before we go on here is a small bio about Patrick.

Patrick has lived in Aurora for most of his life. He grew up on a small crescent near the water tower north of Wellington West and later when he was in high school he moved near Highland Golf Course. He attended Our Lady of Grace Elementary School, and Cardinal Carter High School where he graduated in 2006. He is currently living up north in Sudbury where he works in marketing for mysendoff.com. At nights he is a student at Laurentian University. He has many fond memories of growing up in Aurora and hopes to return one day.

Bowser, Grave Stone, Aurora Cemetery

So first thing first, I needed some pictures that related to Bowser. As per Patrick’s directions we were able to find Bowser’s grave at the cemetery here in Aurora.

It was that one overcast afternoon we drove by the Aurora Cemetery and have located John W. Bowser’s tombstone that is marked by a ten-foot high granite miniature Empire State Building. Time was of the essence especially for me, as for those who rest in peace I like them to do just that.

Bowser, Empire State Building Tombstone

Yes, John W. Bowser (1892-1956) born in Aurora (Whitchurch Township, Ontario, Canada in 1892) was the project construction superintendent for the Empire State Building in New York City. This was the world’s tallest building for 40 years until the World Trade Center’s North Tower was completed in 1972.

Following the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, the Empire State Building once again is the tallest building in New York. Unfortunately, no plaque or place commemorates Bowser’s name in the New York City.

However, he is honored on a hill in the Aurora Cemetery where he was buried in 1956 with his grave marked by the Empire State Building tombstone and he also has a street named after him John Bowser Crescent in Newmarket, Ontario.

Bowser, Empire State Building Tombstone

Few sources indicated that the $42 million Empire State Building in New York was completed in 27 months from its concept to the final standing structure. The actual time to construct the building was a little over 400 days (15 months).

Bowser, Empire State Building Tombstone Base

John W. Bowser was born on Wellington Street East on a small farm with one cow. When he was eleven years old he left Aurora, then came back, and then left again and found a job in Winnipeg. He eventually entered the construction business in which he was very successful and managing construction of the Empire State Building in New York was one of his great works. Source: Aurora 1945-1965, An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change by Elizabeth H. Milner, pg 112.

Bowser, Marking Stone, Aurora Cemetery

The story about John W. Bowser does not end here and I will continue my photographic journey to find out more. Many of landmarks constructed by Mr. Bowser are still standing, therefore his story shall continue in the future.

John Bowser Crescent, Newmarket, Ontario

But just one more thought …

When Patrick emailed me and inspired me to write about John W. Bowser, I was curious (as always) and I looked up his email domain name mysendoff.com. I must say that there a lot of creative people out there starting interesting online ventures.

So I started my curious adventure with the About of the Mysendoff.com page: ‘We are an innovative social media site that will help you create and document your own final wishes for your own personal funeral sendoff, and it won’t cost you anything except for a few minutes of your time. Since nobody is going to get out of this life alive, anyone and everyone can use mysendoff.com’.

Like it happened with YouTube, it happened again – I was deeply immersed in reading pages, blog posts and looking up photos for hours. The site has very interesting stuff not just about celebration of life, funerals, planning for funerals but about the … or may be you just peek for yourself.

Okay, things like that …

‘Thomas Edison died at 9 p.m. on Oct. 18th, 1931 in New Jersey. Shortly before passing away, he awoke from a coma and quietly whispered to his wife Mina, who had been keeping a vigil at his bedside: ”It is very beautiful over there.” As he exhaled for the final time, his son Cecil captured that breath in a test tube and stoppered it at the request of Henry Ford who had been friends with Edison. Ford never gave any reason for this request although some say he believed that that a person’s soul escaped with the last breath. That breath is still on display at the Henry Ford Museum.‘ Read More …

See I told you I was hooked.

Aurora Strategic Plan, Plant The Innovation Seed, Promote Business Growth

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:57:29 +0000

Aurora Strategic Plan for 2031 is a very nice concept. I think it is really good to plan for the future or to have long term goals. However, I just hope that we do not go under the spell of writing this great list of things to do and never achieve them.

Mural, Wellington Street

What I have seen for now, the Aurora Strategic Plan is just a shell design, no substance yet. String of words do sound very flowery for now, but will they bloom like that 20 years from now in 2031. My suggestion – have few solid ideas and keep them simple.

It is nice to see that Town of Aurora is getting local public involved. Since this is a strategic plan, I think information should be conveyed in the same manner. I don’t need to see draft material. Current draft presented is a typical process outline. Do we need to see this? I don’t know, seems incomplete and not professional. Even the forums are not taken seriously by the residents.

I don’t know may be I just have different or odd way of thinking, but I don’t understand why do we need separate website just for the strategic plan. It should have been part of the current Aurora site. It is nice that communication department is trying to communicate every detail but why spend extra taxpayers money on such. Why are we branding the Aurora Strategic Plan? I cannot see the purpose.

If the Aurora Strategic Plan team thinks that more and complicated is better, boy they are wrong. Even websites need to be strategically planned to convey the information.

Mural, Wellington Street

The Aurora Strategic Plan execution gives me something to think about though. So once in the blue moon I will be presenting some ideas I have.

Well, 20 years is lot of years. In 20 years you can get nice grown tree, therefore, this may be the time to plant the seeds. I am not really talking about growing real trees here, but this will be a topic of mine later because we definitely need more shade trees.

We need to plant the innovation seed. We need the schools, businesses and town to be involved in more scientific and engineering fields. Let me explain as simple as possible.

Mural, Canada Arm, Wellington Street

Science and engineering fairs sponsored by the local businesses and the Town of Aurora for the Aurora schools.

Sometimes we underestimate young minds and little initiation for innovation from businesses would help to surface some great ideas students may have and give economic benefit to everyone.

This is my train of thoughts.

Town of Aurora and local businesses together collaborate and organizes annual science and engineering fair.

Students from Aurora schools pick a business to work with.

A project idea is assigned to student(s) by the business.

End result new product, enhanced product, efficient process etc – project ideas can be endless.

Participating students are rewarded for their accomplishments.

Since the business provides all the tools for the student(s) to work with, business owns the idea.

If the idea is sound, then it is implemented.

Business grows. Student(s) may have future summer jobs or full time jobs with that company.

Business grows, Town of Aurora is happy.

There is no restrictions, Town of Aurora can participate with their projects too.

I think these are self explanatory steps to drive more business or business growth. We need business that will stay. I was driving on the Industrial Parkway the other day and there are just too many signs for lease. Just too many buildings empty.

So I thought I will present one of my crazy ideas to push the business growth forward. I like long therm growth and this process may be something good to start today.

Mural, Wellington Street

This may also be good for students and their future. Start early introduction to real work, keep them out of trouble. Kids always look for challenge why not give them more.

We do it with art, why not do the same with the science. Something to think about.

Mural, Wellington Street

Not Lost Credit Cards, But Forgotten Credit Cards, Wrist Strap Necessary

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 03:14:06 +0000

Just before lunch we dropped by the Superstore in Aurora. We found the Superman costume for my boy, and two bottles of bubble soap. The bubble soap was on sale half price. I was waiting for the price drop and eventually it came.

At the register I scanned everything, I reached for my wallet and …. no credit card. Where did I put it? How did I loose it? Questions were pounding through my head. I paid cash for everything and drove home. I looked at home everywhere. No sign of my credit card.

Then I remembered. I used it last at Store X on Friday night. Before I call and report on lost credit card I decided to check with Store X. I called and yes they had it. I was little embarrassed. I forgot and left it in the credit card terminal. I let her know I will be there tonight to pick it up.

Later today we went to pick up my credit card at the Store X. Thinking of the embarrassment again and having anyone from Store X reminding me not to forget it again I was surprised to see this.

I came to the register desk and explained the situation. The lady at the information desk asked on what day I lost my card. She opened the drawer and picked up a stash of credit cards wrapped in the elastic band. Must have been at least 10. ‘Oh, sorry this is today only‘ – she replied. I was very surprised to see that many. Today only?

She turned around and reached out for a plastic container size of the shoe box. This is when I was really surprised. The box was almost full filled with credit cards and debit cards. Just an estimation. Being in bundles of 10, there were probably 15 bundles or more.

‘Oh that is just August alone and we will have to cut it up soon‘ – she added. ‘Here is Sepetmber 9 pile, which one‘ – she said.

That was a good ending.

I picked little something and paid for it at the register. I used my credit card. Inserted into the terminal and punched the code. I took the receipt and the bag.

‘Thank you for the sticker‘ – Matthew waved goodbye.

‘Oh and here don’t forget your credit card‘ – clerk waved the card at me.

I did it again.

Lost Credit Cards

This issue seems with the chip technology credit and debit cards. It is a secure feature with embedded chip inside the card that stores all the information as opposed to the black magnetic strip. The problem is that in the old days cards were swiped and card never left your hand or was passed on from the clerk directly to you.

There is still an option to slide the card, but that is if you don’t have the chip yet. If you have the chip you have to insert the card into the terminal. Another option is and probably better than the above is tapping a credit card on the terminal. Using tapping the card does not leave your hand. Card can have the extended life too as the black strip had a life span.

Well, it seems like the chip technology makes consumers to forget credit cards and debit cards in the terminal. The new credit/debit card chip technology compared to the Wii controller needs a wrist or wallet strap.

Lady was very nice and friendly at the information desk at the Store X. I took my second credit card with my signature and started to show her. She waved at me it was okay.

As much as it was nice to have that kind of trusting customer service. This is a big NO. With so little security anyone can claim the lost credit card.

Inventions From Aurora, Plow Attachment By J.A. Petch

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:13:49 +0000

Motivated about the recent historic Aurora’s J. Fleury’s Sons advertisement printed in The Auroran [Week of April 26, 2011, pg 4], I thought I look for patents that were filed by residents or businesses in Aurora. Bingo! I found one that has connection to the Petch House. The invention is the Plow Attachment that was filed with patent office in the United States back in 1893 by John Arthur Petch, of Aurora, Canada.

Plow Attachment, Patent No. 499,577, dated June 13, 1983

Arthur John Petch, of Aurora, in the county of York, Province of Ontario, and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Plow Attachments.

According to the Friends of Petch House website Arthur John Petch (1848-1916) born in the Petch house was a son of Issac and Emma Petch; and was 45 years old when filed patent for his invention.

Source: Plow Attachment, Patent No. 499,577, dated June 13, 1983.