Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Sheppard House

Sheppard’s Bush After Last Night Windy Snow Storm, Looked Good

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:07:41 +0000

It is amazing how volatile our weather is. Last night we thought our roof will be blown away and next morning it was very quiet. Started to warm up as well. Snow melting away and it almost rained. And guess what – spring tomorrow.

Today I ventured out with Peter Cameron on photo walk around the Shappard’s Bush Conservation Area. It is interesting how little I always explored, always the same path or trail. This time I got 360 view of the Windfall Ecology Centre (former Sheppard’s House) and few other paths I never attempted to explore. All thanks to Peter.

When we arrived the wood was burning again near the Windfall Ecology Centre and when there is no wind – these fumes are much stronger. They do bother me, but then anything related to smoke bothers me. However, the fumes are not that bad as I initially thought. So behind the shed Peter showed me the gasification boiler. I am not going to explain in my words, just copy what was written on the plaque. That way the message will not be lost in translation.

Wood Gasification Boiler

“The Sheppard House is heated by a wood gasification boiler. The waste wood burned in the gasification boiler heats water in underground insulated tubes that run inside the house to a heat exchanger that connects to hydronic radiator system. The heating method is carbon neutral because the carbon that is emitted is equivalent to that which the waste trees sequester and would emit through decomposition. This wood gasification boiler has an average efficiency of 85.74%.“

Sounds great, but here is something to think about – this process is accelerated process, therefore, generates more fumes in the shorter period of time, and burns more trees in the shorter period of time.

Wood Gasification Boiler, Windfall Ecology Centre

You can view other photos of the regular stuff that can be found at the Sheppard’s Bush, whatever mother nature provided that day for photo shoot and the sheds all around.

Cartridge Recycling, Sheppard’s Bush, Town of Aurora

I saw blue recycling bin, but never ever I have seen the yellow bin. We discovered that it was for recycling ink cartridges. Well, I never anticipated to find that in the Sheppard’s Bush as well.

Today was also grand opening of the Target store in Aurora. I wasn’t going to miss it and miss the photo opportunity, however, only outside, and not inside the store.

Garden Marker Ideas For Next Year, Another Project from Windfall Ecology Centre

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:53:30 +0000

I almost forgot to share just another meaningful project by the Windfall Ecology Centre. Last month on October 1st we ventured out to the Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area. While hovering around the Windfall Ecology Centre, former historic Sheppard’s House, and the picnic area we found few garden patches.

Windfall Ecology Centre, Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area

I didn’t know at that time, but this is another project by the Windfall Ecology Centre – the community garden. The emphasis is on ‘it doesn’t take a lot to grow fruits and vegetables in your own garden‘. A project that encourages gardening at home, may be in the pots or at the community gardens that are starting to be popular around Aurora.

It also remind me how few years ago I used to grow plum tomatoes in my front yard instead of flowers.

Radish Stone Marker, Another Project by Windfall Ecology Centre

Carrot Stone Marker, Another Project by Windfall Ecology Centre

It is interesting to me that something that used to be a way of life is now encouraged because it rarely exists. Garden was always part of my life and it is kind of sad that all this land around here in Aurora will be eventually developed. Seeing a farm in Aurora – it will be a thing of the past. But I am stretching here, we are talking garden only.

Well, on the happy note, we found something interesting. I had Matthew with me and we had fun reading all the stone markers for the vegetables and fruits. What a good idea for marking your plants in the garden, and reusable one too. On the another note, I didn’t know that cantaloupes were grown here in Ontario. For some reason I always thought that cantaloupe was a tropical fruit.

So I did some research …

The cantaloupe is a fruit and is related to watermelon, honeydew, cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash. Some write that cantaloupe is a gourd. When choosing right cantaloupe at the supermarket I was using the same method as for watermelon – knock knock and listened for the hollow sound.

Apparently, when choosing a cantaloupe you must use your nose and not your knuckles. Smell for sweet smell, but I an not sure if I am in favor of that method, especially during flu/cold season.

Cantaloupe Stone Marker, Another Project by Windfall Ecology Centre

We also found a bear in the garden. Not real one, but there was a marker for him just in case.

Bear Stone Marker, Another Project by Windfall Ecology Centre

It was first of October and some plants were still blooming on that day. We spotted blooming peas flower and sunflowers.

It is November now and Sheppard’s Bush now looks nothing like before. Our last visit was at night – the Hunted Forest event. Even at night one could see leaves on the ground and some still hanging and beaming bright yellows.

Time really moves forward. We have had few changes in town – the Petch Log house is being reconstructed and the condominium in front of Hollandview Retirement Community on the John West Way is really moving along, but more about that in the posts to come.

Peas, Another Project by Windfall Ecology Centre

White Winter-y Town Of Aurora, The Beautiful Sheppard’s Bush Stills

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:19:18 +0000

The snow arrived just in time for the ‘after Christmas‘ holiday. We have been blessed with unusual warmer weather this season that was extended all the way to Christmas Day.

Picnic Pavilion, Sheppard's Bush Conservation Area

I am kind of glad that there was no snow before and for Christmas. The winter snowstorm driving conditions can add to the holiday shopping stress. It is also nice to have nice comfortable drive when visiting loved ones for Christmas.

Picnic Pavilion, Sheppard's Bush Conservation Area

When snow arrived all I wanted is run to the Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area. I never been there during the winter season. When we arrived there yesterday I was really surprised how beautiful the trails were, especially when under sparkling white blanket of snow. The picnic pavilion and the maple syrup evaporator shack were exceptionally magical when surrounded by the snow.

Maple Syrup Evaporator Shack

I also noticed that the Sheppard House was not under construction anymore. It is possible that the heritage retrofit is now completed.

Sheppard House, Windfall Ecology Centre, Aurora

We probably walked for about 1/2 hour. It was nice to see that the trail is used regularly. It was only two days of snow and the trails were completely padded. They were very comfortable to walk on.

I was hoping for some animals like deer or even a rabbit, but all we found was black squirrels. I shot some photos of the birds but that will be my future post.

Aurora Strategic Plan, Focus On How, Less On What, Hint Do Heritage Retrofits

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:18:52 +0000

Sometimes it is easier to start from scratch rather to continue with the existing system. In my mind I think we as the community really need to focus how we are going to make our Aurora a better place to live in the next 20 years and it is up to the town to lead the project and provide us with the results of the strategic plan that is going to be implemented.

The idea of the strategic plan is a wonderful idea. Too many ideas for the strategic plan are not. It is easy to say we want this and that, but how we to do it is the hardest job.

Hillary House, Aurora

I wrote this post couple of weeks ago, Sheppard House Green Face Lift, Home To Windfall Ecology Centre. Let me talk about this again in the Aurora Strategic plan context. The Sheppard House is one of the heritage houses in Aurora and currently is undergoing a heritage retrofit program to reduce its energy consumption by about 75% while preserving its heritage aspect. The project is led by the Windfall Ecology Centre, the environmental non profit organization who is also residing in the Sheppard House.

I have educated myself more on their heritage retrofit program reading this excellent detailed 25 page assembled Guidebook.

On the side note, in this guidebook in addition to the Sheppard House photo (the model work), there is a photo of the Hillary House, a primary suspect for my recommendation.

Hillary House, Aurora

Aurora has a very rich history that needs preservation and regular maintenance. Aurora needs to fully engage the mentioned above heritage retrofit program. This item is a must for the Aurora strategic plan.

The recent two sad stories hovering in the town, the George Browning house potential demolition plan (a must read post 100 Watts : The George T. Browning House by Chris Watts) and Hillary House potential six hundred thousand refurbishment costs. The Hillary House was a total surprise to me. I hope these numbers are not just guess-estimated.

Hillary House, Aurora

Well, the strategic plan does not starts tomorrow. We must think about it now. Unfortunately, this written now will be yesterday’s now, and we are already a day behind.

Not sure if the George Browning house has a future, unless it is relocated but then the true heritage aspect will be broken. However, the heritage retrofit program would be excellent for Hillary House. But then would that be an additional cost to the six hundred thousand? Something I don’t know.

You can read the guidebook document yourself because underlines lot of excellent environmental benefits, not to mention the key message – it will preserve and conserve. Technologies are available and program is available. It may be experimental but I believe it is doable.

Hillary House, Aurora

So going back to the beginning of this post. It is always easy to start something from scratch, but of course if there is nothing in place. However, if we do have something in place such as heritage building and we up to for demolition (example Browning House), we often forget to think about or completely ignore the fact how much energy and resources it takes to demolish the old and build new standing structure.

Now we have an option, the retrofit program. It is now or tomorrow up to Town of Aurora to engage and may be offer additional incentives to the heritage building owners to drive the encouragement.

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.