Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Aurora Senior Centre

The Petch Log House, Built To Last, Part I

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:42:19 +0000

Last August 2011 Petch log house was taken apart – the restoration process began. In September 2012 preparation for re-building the Petch log house started on John West Way, near the Aurora Senior Centre and the entrance to the Community Arboretum.

Petch Log House, Foundation, October 04, 2012

First it was a pit filled with gravel, then foundation poured and then the assembly started. I have been following and photographing re-building of the Petch log house since October. My very first visit and real photo shoot took place on October 26th. When I was on the site the house was already three logs high in some places.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, October 26, 2012.

Since that day I was showing up every few days. Mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some Fridays, when Matthew was in school. Watching it changing radically was interesting experience, photographing it was a rewarding experience.

I did upgrade my equipment since last year, new camera and new lenses, hopefully getting better too, and I can’t complain about the overcast skies I had through most of the initial re-construction of the house – all was just perfect, not to mention the hospitality of all those who worked on the site.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 1st, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 6th, 2012.

The house is now very close to the completion. If am not mistaken the wood siding installation started on Thursday or Friday of last week (December 13th, 14th).

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 6th, 2012.

The house is well reinforced with additional materials – two by fours wedged inside the window and door cutouts, solid wood wide window and door frames, square brackets on the corners where the logs are joined, and some new and modified logs that were heavily deteriorated.

The Petch log house is definitely built to last.

The Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 13th, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 13th, 2012.

Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 16th, 2012.

The roof rafters were built on the site. The roof was covered. So I thought they were done. Speaking of built to last, an engineered roof was added on top of the original roof to be shown in my next post. But it all started with the arrival of the big beam they put on top of the roof to start building secondary roof. I was told by Peter Van Nostrand that the big beam was coming at one o’clock, and right on the dot the beam came.

The story of the Petch log house will continue in the next post, however, let me leave you with a photo of the Petch house at sunset taken by my friend Peter Cameron. Click here to view.

The Big Beam, Petch Log House, Town of Aurora, November 16th, 2012.

Living In Aurora Blog Live Again, Aurora Senior Centre

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 02:25:41 +0000

On November 13th, 2012 I went live once again, that is my Living In Aurora blog. This time I presented at the Aurora Senior Centre located near the Town Hall in Aurora.

Aurora Senior Centre, Town of Aurora, Ontario

First time I did for Hollandview Retirement Community. My presentation for the computer club at the Aurora Senior Centre was called the ‘Good Neighbour’ as well and it featured photography and my commentary on the changing Aurora, wonders of the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk, the McKenzie boardwalk, the Community Arboretum, Merlin’s Hollow and Sheppard’s Bush. I also talked about some of the events in Aurora such as Canada Day Parade on July 1st, 2012.

Well, I am not exactly sure what is happening – interesting blogging phenomena. Usually one goes from audience to blog. In my case I am going from blog to audience, something I didn’t anticipated at first. I tell you one thing, one cannot hide in Aurora, one way or the other way you will be discovered.

Perhaps few words about my audience and my organizing crew Tom Yates, Jeff Walker and Bob Hedenberg. Their help in promoting, organizing and helping with the set up is greatly appreciated. Not to forget the gentleman behind the scenes who brought the speakers and microphone and probably other things. I must sound like celebrity now, but I did feel like one. Everyone was so nice, appreciative and provided such a nice relaxing environment for me to present.

I am sure no body noticed but my heart rate was up few beats. It usually happens when I have to speak in public (and I don’t do it very often), therefore, I have to thank Tom for a very kind introduction prior my presentation.

And now my audience …

It was nice to meet Tom Yates’ wife June. This is my first time meeting a woman photographer. The gentleman who reminded me about one of the photos of the light bulb I took at the Masonic Lodge. It helped to have family in the audience – Teresa Foti.

Aurora Masonic Hall, The Rising Sun Lodge No. 129

It was so nice for so many people to come up and introduce themselves or chat. Let see if I can summarize it. I hope I got everyone mentioned.

I finally met Christine Valentini, a name that is not hard to forget. We corresponded few times about the George Browning house which I had it in my presentation as well.

Then I got an invitation to photograph over 30 year old cactus living in Aurora – and I will.

A lady who commented on one of my flower photos, female and male combination of the jack plant and for love of me I cannot remember the rest of the name.

Merlin’s Hollow, July 10th, 2011

Then I got to speak to Gordon Barnes who was sitting in the first row, and commented on my good eye. If I knew he was going to come I would bring up some photos of him I have on my blog. I always see him at the Aurora Farmer’s Market.

Then this nice lady asked me about slight accent I have – its a combination of Ukrainian, Polish and English.

Then I think it was Stephen that offered to pay for the photos I brought to give out because he took to many. No worries about that, and I hope he will figure out how to make dandelion wine one day.

Did anyone ever find out about the lady bug? Yes, there are male ladybugs.

I had very good time. Thank you all.

Fall Flowers at Merlin’s Hollow, Unavoidable Brown-Eyed Susans

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:05:14 +0000

In the late spring we can find lot of yellow accents around the neighborhood, yellow dandelion accents. In the fall we get double take because of the changing color in the leaves and then there are flowers like Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba).

Brown Eye Susan, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

The Brown-Eyed Susans are now found everywhere including Merlin’s Hollow. I had my last visit to the Merlin’s Hollow couple of weeks ago. Flowers were still blooming. Bees, wasps, flies were all at work, flying from flower to flower and doing their job.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Some buds were not opened yet.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

This post is more for you to enjoy the lasts of the summer. I photographed this set when it was still summer and it was very warm that day. The fall is here now believe or not. The nights are much cooler. Days are cool as well, but you can still enjoy gentle heat from the sun. Reds, yellows and some green are now accenting Town of Aurora.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Perfect white. How often can you find a flower pure white and undamaged? It could go either way, but this one was prefect.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Every spring, early flowering crocus is almost in all gardens, but every fall, the Colchicum, or fall crocus, comes out from nowhere when the garden is in decline. The fall crocus certainly is delicate, slender, beautiful flower, and somehow taller and was unavoidable.

Well Tom Yates was unavoidable as well that day. I left Merlin’s Hollow that day feeling that something will be up anytime soon, and yes Tom got in touch with me to present my blog to the Aurora Seniors. Nothing is set in stone, but I will be on the road with my blog again sometimes in November.

Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Definitely interesting visit – unavoidable Brown-Eyed Susans, unavoidable fall crocus, unavoidable Tom Yates and this unavoidable beautiful garden bright blue bench.

Tom Yates and his wife are professional photographers and you can view their beautiful work on their website Portcullis.

Blue Bench, Merlin’s Hollow, Aurora

Meeting Seniors At The Hollandview Trail Retirement Community, Good Neighbour

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 01:49:48 +0000

Gateway Drive is a street on the other side of the St. John’s sideroad, opposite to the Pinnacle Trail. The street shown on the photo below, the housing and far back on the horizon, the Hollandview Retirement Community.

All that did not exist in 1997 when we first moved to Aurora.

Gateway Drive, Aurora

We moved into our new home on Halloween. We juggled the two together – trick or treat visitors and moving stuff into the house. And since then we saw neighbours going and coming. I even wrote a short story on the community FOCUS about our early beginnings in Aurora – ‘Living in Aurora – Trick or Treat? Yes, We Moved Here on Halloween Night‘.

Hollandview Trail Retirement Community, Aurora

Speaking about the Hollandview Trail Retirement Community; on September 12th, 2012 I did presentation for the seniors. Who would ever thought that my blog will get me on the road – something I never anticipated. I was nervous. I was very nervous. But my audience turned out to be such a nice joyous bunch.

When I came they really made me feel at ease. Started talking to me, asking me questions and waving and smiling at me whenever I looked. They even said – ‘First time doing this?‘. I guess they could tell.

The script I wrote for the presentation I forgot at home. My presentation titled ‘Good Neighbour‘ and I cannot tell you what was my presentation all about because in the near future I am heading to the Aurora Senior Centre.

Joan Devins, Hollandview Retirement Centre, Aurora

With me to the presentation I brought some visual aids – two books Aurora 1945-1965, An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change and Aurora A History in Pictures. Books I use for reference when I go for walks around the town – it helps me to connect.

To my surprise in the audience I had a lady very much participating in my story telling about how I met Elizabeth Milner. Well, this lady happened to be Joan Devins who knew very well Milner’s sister and she is also on the picture on the cover of the book in front of Wells Street Public School. It is so interesting how things are connected in our town and it is so easy to intercept those connections and learn more.

But wait there is more. I did notice one lady on the back sitting by herself. I didn’t really pay attention until she came forward and offered if I ever need any information about the town she is the one. And the one was Jean Baker-Pearce. I think I may take on her offer.

But wait a bit more information here. As we were walking out Jean turned around and asked if I happened to know anyone who has the Aurora Its Early Beginnings, a book by James Johnston. I got so excited because I happened to have one – the yellow version from 1963 and in a very good condition. Ron Wallace really knows how to take care of valuable books. ‘Darn‘, said Jean once she found out I had a copy from Ron.

So what is so special about the book. There are early beginnings for everything, and this book is all about early beginnings of Aurora. Jean did help to write the book. The book was written in one week because it was realized that for the 100th Anniversary of Aurora celebrations there was no Aurora book written.

It was a very special evening and I really enjoyed meeting all the nice ladies in the audience. Yes they were almost all ladies. I think I had one gentleman on the back who came.

I don’t know their names but I recall small conversations before and after – the lady who sat in the very front and gently asked if I done this before. Then there was another lady who asked many questions about my profession – and she happened to have granddaughter in engineering as well. There was a lady who came up and share story about the red cardinal. And a lady who ask for the directions to the Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk and lastly two ladies against the wall who smiled and waved at me.

Living In Aurora, Elevator Snapshot

That night I felt like a celebrity. I know – it is just a living in Aurora blog, but for me small things matter. At my arrival, every turn I made I saw notices about my presentation – on the information flat screen at the entrance and then notice in the elevator. When I saw that one notice in the elevator, I think I beat the record getting my camera out the bag, turning on, taking cap off and snapping photo of the notice on the way down – just one floor down.

I tell you there are lot of hidden treasures in the town and it isn’t that hard to find them as well.

Changing Aurora, New Grounds For Petch House, Near Aurora Senior Centre

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 02:02:17 +0000

Restored Petch log house will be placed near the Aurora Senior Centre – may be this fall or next spring. I doubt that anything will happen in the winter time.

To add to my changing Aurora series, it will be interesting area to visit having Petch House, Aurora Senior Centre and Town Hall – all seconds or minutes away from each other. Not to mention Skylight gallery at the Town Hall and entrance to the Community Arboretum.

Future Location of the Petch Log House, Community Arboretum

The Petch log house definitely will stand out, especially being the only log house around all brick buildings. Looks like the area for the log house is now ready and fenced. All we need is the Petch log house. Let us then wait.

Outside Log Structure Of The Petch House

Couple of weeks ago when we were walking at the Community Arboretum we dropped by the future location of the Petch log house.

Well how much can you write about the fenced empty area, however, when I got home there was a comment written by Mike McCartney, and since the post he commented on Petch House, It Was A Lifetime Opportunity, was from last year, I thought it will be nice to re-quote his comment here in the post.

“Hi I have enjoyed reading your postings and pictures of the Petch House. I’ve tried searching the web for more history on this house but have had no luck.

A little bit of what I do know I learned from my family. The Mills family bought the property in the early 70′s, when it stood on Leslie Street, and started what turned out to be a very large Thouroubred horse breeding operation called Aurora Meadows. My uncle Alfred Mills who lived in it for many years told us that the original log cabin was apparently the scene of the last Indian/Settler skirmish in the area and was actually able to show us an arrowhead that was imbedded in one of the logs.

Not sure how historically accurate this is but thought you might find it interesting.“

A bit of interesting information – an arrowhead embedded in one of the logs? May be I should revisit my pictures and look for it.

Office/Retail Building, Nino D’aversa Bakery, Aurora

I often visit Town Hall to see the Skylight gallery, but I do also take photos from the windows on the third floor or from the parking lot. Looking North West there is a new building in town as well, office/retail space building – on the same plaza as Nino D’aversa Bakery.

Commemorative Trees in the Community Arboretum, Aurora

I hope that I am not the only one, but I really enjoy reading plaques, and when comes to the Community Arboretum if I had hours to spare I could spend those hours walking and looking at the plaques of the commemorative trees, and they don’t have to be just memorials to loved ones we have lost.

“They enable individuals, or groups, or organizations, to commemorate something that is important to them. The trees may be used as memorials to loved ones we have lost, or they may be gifts of love for husbands, wives, parents who are still living. They may commemorate special events in our lives, the birth of children, special birthdays, marriage. They may recognize achievement by individuals or groups, or by an organization to recognize the accomplishment of individuals. The opportunities are endless.” Source: Community Arboretum, Aurora.

Aurora has been changing for almost 150 years, but definitely much faster in the recent years.