Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Heritage

Doors Open Aurora Cultural Centre Or Doors Closed, And The Motion Is Cultural Shock?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:47:58 +0000

Once upon the time and that time was last year when I re-invented my blog and moved from blog-ger to word press-er. I invested all the little time I had and I never even anticipated this return on my investment.

And the return being the increased traffic, growing subscribers list, networking opportunities, interesting photo shoot projects, thank yous, emails, comments and fresh post ideas. My plan worked but little too well.

Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora

The plan shall be the same for another year or so – slow growth. New inspirations, thoughts and post subjects come along unexpected on daily basis and my own list of potential posts is becoming outdated and irrelevant.

Some of you may know that I had an opportunity to visit and photograph SOYRA show at the Aurora Cultural Centre and at the same time I couldn’t resist to photograph the Layers show by students from Sacred Heart.

Layers, Sacred Heart C.H.S Show

I received personal thank you note from Luisa Capelet, Arts Department Head at Sacred Heart C.H.S. for visiting, photographing and blogging about this show. She said:

‘Your photographic eye is insightful and creative. Some really great photos in your portfolio. I also teach photography and am using the “blog” forum in the classroom. It is such an effective way to encapsulate ideas-words-images as well as evoke responses and reactions. Your blog site serves as a great example.’

Layers, Sacred Heart C.H.S Art Show

I smiled and I wish I could really think the same about me, but I really liked what she said about using ‘blog’. Though I must say that it is not an easy task to maintain blog regularly, so for that I will give myself tap on the shoulder.

She also wrote: ‘My students are really enjoying the Aurora Cultural Centre. It started with them acting as volunteers and since then theyhave been hooked. They felt an immediate connection and were well received. Funny how I randomly see them now and again as guests to art shows and programs.

Our show at the Cultural Centre had many lasting, positive effects on our students. I am grateful that the Centre was able to arrange for us to have some space. From my understanding the room was originally booked for a display that the Historical Society was going to have and when they no longer wanted to use it, it opened up space for us.

It was perfect timing. Many of my students are progressing with art and taking it in post secondary. The experience of showcasing in a gallery will remain as a strong element to their beginning successes in this area. Thank you for visiting our show.‘

Layers, Sacred Heart C.H.S Art Show

Another great statement this time for the Aurora Cultural Centre.

So the latest and greatest in town – potential motion to terminate the current Agreement between the Aurora Cultural Centre and Town of Aurora.

Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora

Strings of emails came lately asking me for the support and along a hint to make public aware of the Novita Report or Novita Study (Click on the Strategic and Business Plan for the Aurora Heritage Centre under DELEGATIONS Item 2 to download over 100 pages report).

The report was created by Novita Interpares and was adopted by Council in August 2008.

As result of this study the Agreement came along. The agreement is under jeopardy, and if terminated – ouch I don’t even want to think about it. Doors Closed? I guess, yes doors closed, just like the doors were closed for the museum.

So what did we learn from the museum then? I think we learned how hard is to get back on feet again. Do you think that it will be easy to bring the culture back if doors are slammed just like that. I doubt.

Oh yes I have been asked for help. But that wasn’t in the my blogging plan. My plan is to observe, photograph and write my observations. I rarely state facts because someone already did this job for me. I write my opinions based on the observations I discovered, and I could be wrong too. I write my experiences, and support what I believe.

Okay I cave in to post the link to the Novita Study, but I found pages of interesting stuff there especially when after scanning the report I went back to ACC website and there was no events under Heritage. See what I mean getting back on feet.

Show Case, Aurora Public Library, Aurora

For the Heritage part I have to give credit to Aurora Public Library for presenting the artifacts on regular basis (oh that Helen lady is really doing great job). In the mean time the only Heritage in ACC is the building itself.

Town Hall, Aurora

So I see two aspects in the argument between the two bodies – the cultural aspect and the financial aspect.

No doubt that the cultural aspect is booming at the ACC. No doubt that Town of Aurora pockets are depleting by pouring money to ACC. I am sure that it is in the Councilors best interest to have cultural centre in place they just do not realize that termination of the agreement may bring a cultural shock.

On the other hand if the culture is booming at the ACC then less financial support they should seek from the town. I thought that was always the way of governments, soon as your family makes more money they cut you off the government support.

Something to think about and I just hope we can resolve this issue anytime soon.

Wells Street Public School, It Is Hard To Believe, A Private Property

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:43:46 +0000

On the way home from the Town Park on Monday we passed by the Wells Street School. Even though it is not a functional school anymore, it will always be known as school in our community.

Last time I snapped some photos I was able to access the property. Only damaged section of the school was fenced. Now the complete property is fenced with No Trespassing signs. After all the property is private – and own by Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts Inc.

Wells Street Public School, Fenced

It has been quite for some time. No news, however, there will be something written up about the school.

Yes I am patiently awaiting for my free issue of the Hēritage magazine, a quarterly publication of the Heritage Canada Foundation, a non-profit organization. Last year in December I was contacted and asked if they can use one of my images in return for free Hēritage magazine. I agreed.

Wells Street Public School, Photo To Be Published in Hēritage Magazine

‘Heritage Canada Foundation has a long track record for raising awareness for heritage conservation, saving heritage properties across Canada, and engaging Canadians in keeping their own historic places alive. The Foundation has successfully encouraged governments at all levels to adopt programs, policies and legislation for the protection and stewardship of historic places, heritage buildings and cultural landscapes.‘ Source: Heritage Canada Foundation, About Us.

‘Our beautiful quarterly magazine Hēritage celebrates places that matter to Canadians, provides in-depth coverage of current heritage issues and success stories, and shares practical tips for homeowners.’ Source: Heritage Canada Foundation, About Us.

Wells Street Public School, Town of Aurora

Unfortunately the Hēritage magazine is available to members only, and if you are a member you will be able to read something about the Wells Street Public School in the upcoming issue.

Wells Street Public School, Town of Aurora

Ron Wallace Retired, May Be From The Auroran Only, Or Not

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:43:51 +0000

I am not sure who retired first, Bonnie Tiffin from Oak Ridges or Ron Wallace? We all know who Ron Wallace is and those who read The Auroran definitely will know Bonnie Tiffin. Bonnie Tiffin on regular basis submits Letter to the Editor in The Auroran.

Well looks like Poor Ronnie still has his column. But Bonnie has not been around since her last letter ‘What will Wallace do next, she wonders‘ from the week of November 29, 2011. I hope Bonnie will be back soon, may be she is just taking some time off for holidays.

Yes, what will Wallace do next? I wondered too. But looks like he is already keeping himself busy. His column is still featured in The Auroran, just got pushed further and deeper into the newspaper by Brock’s Banter. However, I am sure that Ron can be easily found on any page of the Auroran.

Aurora Cultural Centre, Town of Aurora

Then when I was looking through the Winter Programs at the Aurora Cultural Centre I spotted Ron again. Under the Heritage Lecture Series there is Ron Wallace to present a lecture on ‘How the Word Got Around: An Historical Look at Local Newspapers‘. The event will be on May 16th, 2011, and only six months away.

I may attend the seminar myself and I may be even get to meet the Mr. Aurora for the second time.

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

I (and of course Matthew) got to meet Ron for few minutes. Back in August, myself and Matthew dropped by The Auroran place located at the Old Post Office building to pick up the Aurora 1945-1965 book by Elizabeth Milner. In the email I was clearly instructed to find the office on the second floor at the rear. On the side note, it is worth getting Milner’s book if you like local history.

The Old Post Office, 1915, Town of Aurora

I didn’t listened. Do I ever? Well I got lost on the first round. I went to the second floor from the front of the Old Post Office (Yonge Street). So for about 10 minutes we were wondering around. I was looking for any body, even a mouse to ask for the direction and Matthew was having fun peeking through the mail box slots on the doors.

As we were coming down I snapped pictures of this beautiful wooden staircase. As we were coming down the driving school instructor in one of the rooms joked and told me to slide down the railing. Yeah, like I was ready for a stunt in my 40s, and I just hope he wasn’t teaching anything crazy in his driving classes.

The Old Post Office, 1915, The Wooden Railing

So go figure, the second floor from the front does not connect to the second floor at the rear.

After all we had fun exploring the old post office building, and eventually we located The Auroran and met Ron Wallace – for only few minutes.

Sheppard House Green Face Lift, Home To Windfall Ecology Centre

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:25:26 +0000

Back in mid October I took some pictures of the Sheppard House. When we got there a lot changed since our last visit. The house was surrounded by the scaffold, information signs placed around and some trees cut down.

Sheppard House

Sheppard house is a very nice three-storey 5000 sq ft building that is also surrounded by the beautiful conservation area. In 1972 the property was donated by the Sheppard family to the Ontario Heritage Trust. At the present time the property is managed through a joint agreement by the Town of Aurora, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, and the Ontario Heritage Trust.

The Sheppard House is a new home to the Windfall Ecology Centre and is operated by the Centre under a long-term agreement.

So what is up with the renovations?

The Sheppard House is getting a face lift but not just regular face lift. Back in 2008 the Ontario Trillium Foundation approved over $100,000 capital grant to the Windfall Ecology Centre to complete the heritage retrofit on the house. The retrofit will preserve the heritage aspects of the building and it will result potentially in 75% reduction of energy use.

So what is the point of all that? I shall no repeat, but Windfall Ecology Centre website summarized this very well.

‘Our approach to creating a culture of conservation must bring us to a mindset where renovation, rehabilitation and recycling are the norm. Architecture is long-term infrastructure that must be retained for centuries, not a commodity to be discarded within a generation.

There is a pervasive perception among heritage building owners and operators that heritage preservation and energy conservation are mutually exclusive objectives. This dichotomy of thought poses a major barrier to the establishment of a culture of energy conservation within the community of very old-home owners and operators.‘

Sustainable Transportation

Read on …

‘We must find ways to use modern technology in harmony with heritage buildings or many of our prize heritage structures will be left neglected. They will be too expensive to operate and too carbon-intensive to justify habitation in this new era of carbon constraint.

The Conserve and Preserve project will demonstrate that dramatic reductions in energy use can be achieved while maintaining the cultural heritage integrity of a heritage structure. This will be accomplished through innovative project design and delivery mechanism, which incorporates an actual heritage renovation as part of the education workshop component.‘

Cut Down Trees, Why?

I think this is a great initiative project to reach out to the heritage building owners and is done here in Aurora. I shall come back one of those days and see the progress.

Sunday Break, Overgrown Yet Beautiful

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:34:08 +0000

Sunday photo showcase. All posts titled Sunday Break are photo(s) only and a quote. Posted photos may not be necessary the most current one and as always it is all about Town of Aurora. Enjoy!

House Full of Nature, Aurora

‘How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!’ – a quote by Emily Dickinson, Letter to Mrs. J.S. Cooper, 1880