Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Doors Open 2012

Doors Open Aurora 2012, Lumsden’s Trumpeter Swan Gardens & The Giant Thistle

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:53:39 +0000

That was my last one, favorite one and the most entertaining one visit to the Doors Open Aurora. Despite the heat I was glad to visit the Trumpeter Swan Gardens created by Harry Lumsden. This was my second visit.

I called up Mr. Lumsden back in May and was allowed to photograph the swans – Trumpeter Swans in Aurora, Visit To Harry Lumsden’s Pond.

This visit was different. The gardens were open to public so I knew that my pictures will be a lot more interesting and not just swans.

When I arrived I was greeted by volunteers. I was directed to go behind the house first and then if I am not mistaken to walk to the North side of the property. While walking I passed by couple of ladies with a child in the stroller. One of them briefly looked at me and then said to the other one ‘You better get your camera out may be we will see some birds‘. I smiled and I had to say something ‘Well you are definitely going to see swans‘. They nodded and we all laughed.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Since my last visit, this time gardens were a lot more green and beautifully over grown. First thing I noticed was this giant Scottish Thistle, probably close to two meters tall. Normally we would call thistle a weed, but in Mr. Lumsden’s garden obviously it is not.

Scottish Thistle, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

So things got much better after seeing the giant thistle. I took few nice pictures of the crowd with Mr. Lumsden. Not until later I noticed that I took pictures of someone I know.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Then I spotted someone in my peripheral vision either taking pictures of the thistle or the group of people with Mr. Lumsden. He looked familiar so I sneaked and took photo of him for further analysis later that day.

If turned out that was Matt Maddocks with his new toy. Matt and Deb were also visiting Trumpeter Swan gardens that day. I tell you it is always nice to be in the larger group. Conversation with Mr. Lumsden turned out far more interesting and entertaining, and all thanks to Deb.

Matt Maddocks Taking Pictures

I remember the days when I didn’t know Matt and how I used to read his intriguing Letters to the Editor in the Auroran. As of this year Matt took extra step and has now a regular column Point of Privilege on the community FOCUS site for the Town of Aurora.

Matt gathered lot of interesting information during his Doors Open Aurora experience and wrote a very intriguing and profound essay. If you curious you can read it for yourself, Doors Open Aurora – Of Swans and Freedom Fighters. Mr. Lumsden 6 acre property can be very adventurous. Before I met up with Matt and Deb again I walked alone around the pond in the shade of trees. I kept seeing visitors pouring in. Even thought it was getting close to four o’clock they just kept arriving.

Another incident. About four or five visitors arrived together, adults and youth. I overheard that one of the girls was scared of the birds and kept complaining about it. How can you be scared of the birds, I just don’t understand. But hey we all are scared of something.

At some point one of the ladies turned around and said to the girl ‘No worries dear, you will not find any birds here‘. Well, I just had to say something again, ‘but you will find swans just over there‘. She and the others looked in the direction of swans, and everyone laughed.

I guess since we don’t see swans flying on regular basis just like other small birds, many consider them something else. But what is that something else? Who knows.

Harry Lumsden Himself

Then later a small disappointment. During my first visit Harry Lumsden told me that there were six swan eggs in the nest. I came to the pond in mind that I will see all six of them.

I asked how come there was only one cygnet. He corrected me and said that there were actually seven eggs and explained that they didn’t hatch properly because disturbed female seeing disturbed male kept coming off the nest. Out of seven only two survived, but then turtle ate one of them.

That makes you think that their extinction wasn’t just our contribution.

Trumpeter Swans with Cygnet, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

If it wasn’t for Deb we would never know why this Trumpeter Swan has red feet (photo below). Harry Lumsden gave us this complex explanation, but all you need to know – recessive gene, or not very popular one. Apparently, there are three swans (not sure if in a whole Ontario or Canada) reported to have red feet and one of them is here in Aurora, Ontario at the Mr. Lumsden’s Swan Garden.

So this bring me to the end of my adventures during Doors Open Aurora. I am hoping again that for next year there will be no birthday parties or wedding parties scheduled for that day. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Red Feet Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Doors Open Aurora 2012, Aurora Masonic Hall & The Solved Mystery Became Once Again Unsolved

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 04:16:46 +0000

For some reason this one was totally not anticipated visit to the Aurora Doors Open 2012 site. I didn’t have any maps on hand and as I drove by the doors in the building were open and inviting.

Masonic Hall, The Rising Sun Lodge No. 129 it is I told myself. For those who do not know, it is the building located not too far from the Aurora Armoury, beside the former Wells Street Public School. So I went inside.

Aurora Masonic Hall, The Rising Sun Lodge No. 129, Aurora

No luck with good pictures. It was kind of dark and I didn’t want to do any crazy photography. As always I asked if I could take pictures. No problem, and I figured if I am taking picture of something that I shouldn’t they will tell me. The hall was quite a spectacle. Interesting setting and lot of geometry.

I was asked if I had any questions. My reply was, ‘I don’t know where to start‘. He smiled, so I continued ‘What are Masons?‘, and the conversation began.

Aurora Masonic Hall, The Rising Sun Lodge No. 129, Aurora

At my arrival I didn’t know anything about Masons and by the time I left the Masonic Hall I almost knew everything – there is no mystery, just an organization doing good stuff.

Secret society? Just a rumor. I was informed that I can find good reading on the Internet. I thought about it. If they were secret society there would be no Doors Open.

Aurora Masonic Hall, The Rising Sun Lodge No. 129

Intrigued by the conversation I did go on Internet the same night and did some reading. One thing lead to another and I think everything just got so misdiagnosed. I got confused – just too many conspiracy theories, and I guess I am back to unsolved mystery.

I think for this post I will just let you to enjoy few photographs I took and leave the rumbling out. However, for those who enjoy that kind of stuff the Masonic Hall is a site to visit. Hopefully it will be on the list for Doors Open 2013.

Doors Open Aurora 2012, Aurora Armoury & The Queen’s York Rangers An Historic Regiment Book

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 01:34:34 +0000

Looking forward, next year I am marking the Aurora Doors Open on my calendar – booked.

I did same kind of booking last year and everything was looking great this year until Matthew got a birthday party invitation two weeks before. Unexpected is impossible to control – I learned.

Aurora Armoury, Larmont Street, Aurora

I cannot complain because every year it is getting better. Last year I had none time available and this year at least I had couple of hours to play with.

I thought may be I can cover at least five places, but no way. Once I engaged myself with the visit everything around me started to be interesting enough so I stayed longer than anticipated in each place. I only covered three places this year.

Queen Elizabeth II Portrait in the Lounge, Aurora Armoury

My starting point was Aurora Armoury on Larmont Street, Town Park. I always wanted to know what was happening inside. When I arrived they had nice army vehicle on display in front, but the inside not sure if I liked it at first. Just one big open space. I asked – photos were allowed.

I always ask just in case and try to remember an important lesson from one of our trips to one of the Greek Islands, Santorini. Many years ago, that is in 1997 we were touring an archaeological site completely roofed on the Santorini Island. Cameras were allowed but absolutely no flash.

I still remember that one moment when two older ladies were snapping pictures like there was no tomorrow. No body said anything but when they got caught by the tour guide it wasn’t pleasant to watch all the lecturing.

One of the reasons is that light can cause damage to objects, especially the UV light. Therefore, it is always important that any original photos displayed on the wall are always away from sunlight.

Prince Philip Portrait, Aurora Armoury

Now back to the Aurora Armoury. No body was really walking any body around. I was told I can look around. Oh great, where do I go from here. But things brighten up when I entered one of the lounge rooms.

Immediately I enjoyed looking at the photos on the wall. Portrait of young Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were very striking. Lots of war photos and army poses just like the one below.

Aurora Armoury, Larmont Street, Aurora

When I look at those photos sometimes I wonder if anyone on those pictures is relative to someone here in Aurora. I wonder if anyone on the photo owns a copy of the photo they are on. Maybe this is the only copy developed?

Tank Sketch, Aurora Armoury, Larmont Street, Aurora

Lucky me to turn around and take photo of something on the wall. This is when I spotted second lounge room. It was just like walking into a museum. More photos on the wall and small artifacts in the glass cabinet on the display.

Aurora Armoury, Larmont Street, Aurora

It is interesting how sometimes everything connects. I have been doing some serious business with Ron Wallace. He was able to find me a nice collection of books about Aurora, related to Aurora and some by Aurorans. I picked them up last Tuesday.

At some point he brought some other books and showed me The Queen’s York Rangers, An Historic Regiment book by Stewart H. Bull. If I had never visited the Aurora Armoury on Larmont Street I would probably said no, but now I am a proud owner of this reference book. Yes, reference book. Not something I would read before my bedtime.

Book Cover, The Queen’s York Rangers, An Historic Regiment by Stewart H. Bull

What To Do On Hot HOT Summer Days, My Choice Hangout At The Library

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 03:30:05 +0000

All week heat wave. Today morning rain and then hot again. Hopefully cooler again. One may ask what to do on hot summer days like that in Aurora. Many choices. You can go to the splash pad at the Town Park or Ida Johnson Park, or you can hang out in cool and dry place like a library.

Matthew, Splash Pad at the Town Park

Last Thursday it was so hot and also boring to stay home, second day in the row – so we headed for the Aurora Public Library.

Just a regular stuff at the Aurora Public Library, like books, books and more books. Couple nice displays which I always like to examine – Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 and Doors Open 2012.

I also found out that Aurora Public Library is now selling Elizabeth H. Milner’s book, Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change, in addition book is also available at the Abebooks.com, Jonathan’s Restaurant and through Aurora Historical Society in Aurora.

Aurora 1945-1965 An Ontario Town at a Time of Great Change

Speaking of Elizabeth Milner and the heat. I guess I am not the only one bothered by the hot humid days. Not that Elizabeth is complaining like me but she is definitely thinking about cooler days. Elizabeth emailed me and shared couple things with me – a poem The Ice Man – 1947 and her memories of Mr. Bill Case, Aurora’s ice man.

Aha, and who was Mr. Case?

Mr. Case was in the ice business in late forties and early fifties. Children in the town would watch for Mr. Case to come along with his horse and wagon in order to get a chip of his cool ice, and here you can find out more from Elizabeth Milner what children did with the ice. I published the poem and Milner’s memories of the ice man on the History page, community FOCUS site.

Oh wishful thinking to get that kind of service again.

Paws 4 Stories Program, Aurora Public Library

Now going back to our library visit on Thursday. On the second floor we noticed paws cut outs on the floor leading to a real dog. I had to ask. Interesting concept and program – Paws 4 Stories.

‘Paws 4 Stories is a literacy program for beginning and struggling readers who have a unique opportunity to read to a dog and make a friend! Dogs and their owners are trained and generously provided by St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. […]‘ Source: Aurora Public Library

Here is nice write up on ‘Why Dogs Are Better than Adults at Helping Kids Read‘. By accident I found an article that dogs also benefit when read to, but not a topic for today.

Stay cool!