Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Sesquicentennial

Will You Remember Playing Broomball On February 3rd, 2013, The Mayor’s Levee At The Town Park

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:08:20 +0000

It was nice to see children attending the Mayor’s Levee on Sunday February 3rd, 2013 at the Town Park. It was cold, but not for them. We adults didn’t figure out yet that we are living in Canada and we can wear snowsuits or long-johns as well.

So my collection and journey does not ends here with this post yet. Couple more posts maybe. I know despite the cold weather my clicking finger was working perfectly.

In fifty years, that is 2063, the little people running and playing during this historic event will not be so little. They will be adults and due to their age may not even remember. They may not even live in the town anymore.

There were many activities for children to have fun, broom-ball, wagon rides, skating and tug of war. Many came to find out if they won the Aurora 150 flag design contest. The official Aurora 150 flag was unveiled later during the candle lighting ceremony. The Sesquicentennial Ad Hoc Committee chose Victoria Harris’ flag design.

It was temporarily displayed at the Town Park and it can be seen at the Town Hall for the rest of the year. Everything was happening so fast, ouch, I missed Victoria’s photo shoot. Well, many people had cameras including the photographers that worked for the Town took many pictures, I am sure they got that one.

You may ask, what is next? Well, ceremony and departure, and that will conclude what I wanted to share with you for this historic event.

The Tug of War, The Team Work & The Spirit of Aurora Celebrating 150th Birthday, Mayor’s Levee

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 01:21:00 +0000

No I didn’t forget. I have lot more to showcase, that is more pictures of the Mayor’s Levee from February 3rd, 2013 at the Town Park. Again, I probably took too many pictures, but how can I not. Everyone had great time children and adults, and volunteers.

I didn’t realize until after I processed these photos and how much these pictures show our community spirit, team work and fun. No doubt the attendance was low that day, but that does not mean much, as long those who organized and attended felt good about it. We were frozen to the bones when leaving, but before that everyone had fun.

So the gallery of photos showcases Tug of War that was set up for children. At some point adults took over.

You may ask who won on the end – they all were winners.

On the side note, there is lot of activity going on in our community now. I think year 2013 is not just Sesquicentennial year, but year of change and it will be all about the people in our community and how we will shape our community moving forward. Many may not like it, but accepting change is way to go.

Today, coincidentally, I came across Bill Hogg’s blog post about ‘Essential Elements When Framing Organizational Change‘. It is a post worth reading. Nothing really is new to me as I worked for corporate world before where changes happened all the time, and if you didn’t accept you didn’t fit. Resisting change is not very healthy, that much I can tell you

Well this concept does not apply just for organization – it applies for communities as well. Bringing more innovative ideas to the table is the key. Community involvement is another. The barriers must go down, otherwise, new ideas will flourish and those who resist change will not survive.

Town of Aurora Official Town Crier, John Webster, Never Too Late To Learn

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 01:29:34 +0000

John Webster, Town of Aurora Town Crier and his wife Mary arrived for the Sesquicentennial Mayor’s Levee on February 3rd, 2013 at the Town Park.

I photographed them last year during July 1st, 2012 Canada Day parade – Aurora Celebrates Canada Day, Yonge Street Parade Snapshots, Part II. Then I missed them during Santa Clause parade, it was too dark; and here they are again.

John Webster, Town Crier, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Well, stupid question or not, I had to ask. Cllr John Abel filled me on the all the details. Looks like I asked the right person too because Cllr John Abel on February 14th, 2012 put a motion forward to nominate John Webster to be our official Town of Aurora Town Crier.

Town of Aurora Council approved and on February 28, 2012 Town of Aurora appointed John Webster to be the Official Town Crier of the Town of Aurora. His function is to make public announcements at official events, and we all know now how it is done.

Sometimes I wonder how little I know about this town. Blogging helps, participating helps and asking helps.

John Webster with His Wife Mary, Town Crier, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Why John Webster then? John Webster is professional Town Crier, not sure how current information on the net is, but he is also official Town Crier for the Town of Markham and of the Town of East Gwillimbury. Mary Webster is the Official Wife of the Town Crier, John Webster. If you want to learn more here is interesting reading for you to absorb – read more.

John Webster also has deep roots here in Aurora. John Webster’s Great Grandfather, John Webster (same name) was a ship’s carpenter in the Royal Navy and when he retired he received a gift in the form of land in the New World. That land was later called Aurora. His grandfather and his father grew up in Aurora.

John Webster, Sesquicentennial Mayor’s Levee, Town Park

We also have Webster Drive to honour the Webster Family.

I hope you enjoyed this short Sesquicentennial history lesson and for sure in the future you will be seeing more of John & Mary Webster on my photographs.

These are pictures I have taken during the Mayor’s Levee on February 3rd, 2013 and believe or not with their elaborate outfits, John and Mary brighten lot of my pictures.

Town Crier John Webster, Mayor Dawe, Tug-O-War Beginning

Town Crier John Webster, Tug-O-War Cry, Town Park

Town Crier John Webster, Tug-O-War, Almost Won

Sunday February 3rd, 2013 Aurora Turned 150 Years Old, Mayor’s Levee

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 06:15:22 +0000

On Sunday the February 3rd, 2013 Town of Aurora officially turned 150 years old. Official celebrations started at two o’clock in the afternoon at the Town Park where Aurora families were invited to the Mayor’s Sesquicentennial Levee.

Bandshall, Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

I was there from the beginning. Initially I wasn’t going to stay to the end mainly because it was cold, but I did, all the way to the closing ceremony. More people arrived as well and trust me by the time you will see my last set of published photos in the future posts, you will see how cold everyone was.

Well the 150 year birthdays do not come around very often so I don’t regret staying to the end.

Wagon Rides, Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Wagon Rides (Chris is that you?), Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

It was cold, but it was warm by the bonfire. Some chose to warm up in other ways – skating, tug-of-war and if the kids allowed you the broomball game was another option. Hot chocolate and cup cakes were served. Did not try the wagon ride but it looked like a warm idea too.

And if you were part of the organizing Sesquicentennial blue hats committee you be warm too – the running they had to do to keep all in order.

Warming up by Bonfire, Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

We can probably blame the cold weather and the Superbowl for the low turnout. However, despite the low turnout families came with children to celebrate and they did have fun. I was pleased with lot of Aurora 150 flag entries.

Children imagination and creativity always puts smile on my face.

Tim Jones, Past Mayor of Aurora, MC for Mayor’s Levee, Town Park

On the side note, about the flag raising. I think deep down we were glad that there was no wind that day, and it never came when the flag was raised. However, the wind came eventually to show off the colorful flag by Victoria – I wonder if anyone noticed.

Local dignitaries, faith groups, some current Aurora Members of Council came, and few past members of council attended as well.

Cllr John Abel (left), Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Tim Jones, Past Mayor of Aurora, Town Park, Town of Aurora

As always I took lot of pictures. I just don’t like missing an opportunity that only comes every 150 years. […] with a sudden few encouragements from the blue hats members I decided to stick around and continue with the photo shoot.

I am telling you I got lot of pictures and I have decided to publish many just not in one post. I will ‘theme‘ them up and hopefully more people will be aware of the next celebration in May. Unfortunately, I will not be there.

Happy Mayor Dawe with Cllr Paul Pirri (left) and Cllr Michael Thompson (right)

So what happened on Sunday. I arrived around two o’clock. Got my camera out, got recognized by Cllr Abel, and was introduced to Terry Sherin, President Aurora Optimist Club. Many years ago, Terry Sherin used to send us his real state newsletters. We even met in person and talked on the phone, but he will not remember that.

Today was also the day I finally met Cllr Michael Thompson and Mayor Dawe. Met up with Matt and Deb, Chris and Kelley and their little girls. I must say that this celebration definitely had a small community feeling.

Too bad that the rest of the Aurora Members of Council didn’t make it. I missed Cllr Buck, hope she is doing fine. This years flu season wasn’t pleasant to many of us.

Michael Thompson (left), Matt Maddocks, and a Friend on the right.

And here is Bob McRoberts. If you didn’t hear yet, McRoberts recently published a book – Postcards of Olde Aurora. As the title states, a collection of old Aurora postcards.

Bob McRoberts, Town Park, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Thanks to Ron, I have wonderful collection of Aurora books.

Ron Wallace, Past Councillor and Founder of The Auroran, Town of Aurora Local Newspaper

David Heard knows what to do when I take a photo him. We all must accept changes at some point and I am actually slowly accepting that knowing more people there will be more posed photos, unless I really hide.

David Heard, A Step In Time – Historical Walking Tours of Aurora

We all know who David Falconer is – but he is always taking pictures so it is hard to get him posing.

David Falconer, The Auroran Photographer

There was a lot of hard working volunteers on site, but I was glad to see that they as well enjoyed themselves.

Volunteer, Town Park, Town of Aurora

Oh and here is Cllr Paul Pirri with Cllr John Abel.

Brr, it was cold. Town Park, Town of Aurora

The former Wells Street Public School was open for viewing and looks like Mayor Dawe, Cllr Abel and Cllr Pirri got the opportunity to sneak in.

Former Wells Street Public School, Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts Inc, Town of Aurora

And lastly Happy 150th Birthday Town of Aurora!

The Birthday Cake, Mayor’s Levee, Town Park, Town of Aurora

This is my first introductory post to the a very beginning of my four hour journey on February the 3rd, 2013. If you didn’t get on my photo in here, chances are you made on my later photos. More coming soon.

Where Is The Snow? It Will Be Record Weather For Aurora, Just In Time For Sesquincentennial

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 01:22:29 +0000

Where is the snow? The Christmas snow is now gone due to higher than normal temperatures. Last night I heard rain again pounding against the window. It isn’t a good thing for us. If the wind changes its course from normal direction and will start to blow towards front of our house we will get water leak inside the house. We have damaged shingles on the roof that means another potential leak. If the mild weather stays, the flu season is not going away.

I looked outside the window this afternoon. It was a very moody day, no sun and sprinkles of very little snow dancing in the wind. Yes we had little sun this holiday season. Just watch the price of the Vitamin D will rise on demand.

We got a call from a doctor for Matthew. Pneumonia still shows on the x-ray, that means another week of antibiotics, doctor visit and possible third x-ray to fill. No school for Matthew. He is sick but he has no issue cheering for no school days. Hopefully he will be good going back again after a lengthy break. Well, we also got news that our doctor is now sick.

Mini Snowman, A Day Before Christmas 2012

So when we had snow we made a snowman. To emphasize how little snow we had while making little fella – the snowman’s head is size of a normal snowball and he is about twelve inches high. Very easy to miss, and he will be missed – he melted few days ago. Completely to the ground.

This will be a definitely interesting Sesquicentennial year for Aurora not just for events, politics but weather patterns as well.

Just in case you have not seen yet, I have few things for you.

Our community FOCUS page now has Sesquicentennial focus page set up to feature topics related to 150th Anniversary of the Town of Aurora. It is also a great opportunity for us to show some not the old 100 years old photos, but photos that are only 15 years old or less. Nice recap for those who have been hanging out around Aurora for only 15 or 20 years. Remember it is 150 years of Aurora and every year matters.

I have also assembled together a Parent Zone page for parents who wants to occasionally write.

Lastly, I also started a legacy project for the Town of Aurora called documenting Aurora. The name says it all.

Runaway Santas, Downtown Historic Aurora, Ontario, December 23, 2012.

Postcards of Olde Aurora, A Sesquicentennial Project by Bob McRoberts, One More Book In My Collection

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 03:04:03 +0000

My inventory of books that are about the Town of Aurora, briefly mentioned Aurora or written by the Aurorans is now assembled. I think I have them all or let say I ran out of budget this year to buy more. My collection consists of twenty books now.

Postcards of Olde Aurora by Bob McRoberts

I am sure there will be lot more books published in the future and they will be part of my collection but there is something special about my recent collection of books. It all started with Bob McRoberts and because of recent purchase ends with Bob McRoberts. Let me explain.

My first book purchased was “Aurora A History in Pictures” by W. John McIntyre, 1988 – collectible, used and autographed. But it also came with a photo of two high school teachers from 1943. One of the teachers was Mr. Knowles who was also grandfather of Bob McRoberts.

So this is how I got to know him, and after photo was returned to Bob McRoberts, he wrote me ‘I hope our paths will cross again‘ and so they did. They did few times and finally on the day I purchased his recently published book.

Postcards of Olde Aurora by Bob McRoberts

In the past I had an opportunity to attend one of the Heritage Lecture Series, “Postcards of Old Aurora: The McRoberts Collection” at the Aurora Cultural Centre, April 2012. I still remember attendance in the room. There must have been over 100 people, including me. The lecture was very beneficial since I take lot of pictures of Aurora and it is very intriguing to examine the change – somethings changed, somethings are gone and somethings just don’t change.

Bob decided to go one step further and put together a Sesquicentennial (2013) project or legacy project – that is he converted his collection of postcards into a book, “Postcards of Olde Aurora“.

Postcards of Olde Aurora by Bob McRoberts

When I picked up my book back on December 6th, I told him that I collect postcards as well, just a collection of the European cities during the time I was growing up. I do have some postcards of Toronto from 1971 when my dad traveled to Canada.

Just recently I did come across of Aurora postcards on line but because I take lot of photos of Aurora I wasn’t that enthusiastic as Bob. Well, he did something wonderful, saved me a time and money. So instead of buying 300 postcards I bought a collectible book, 20th on my list.

This is a very nice little collectible book. Mr. McRoberts spent lot of work searching for all the postcards he assembled into a book Postcards of Olde Aurora and he did because he was passionate about it and because he can relate to as well. His passion is now a legacy book for the Sesquicentennial year. His book is about Aurora by the Auroran and it is the latest book in my collection.

If you would like to own this book, Postcards of Olde Aurora can be purchased directly from Bob McRoberts. The contact information is listed on the right sidebar on this blog.