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Chock full of good times
?Unless you picked up your Cosmos this week at Zehrs or your local convenience store, that is, if you picked it up from your mailbox as usual, you will find inside it a remarkable publication called the 2010 Spring/Summer Community Guide, which it’s been our honour to publish for the third year now on behalf of the Township of Uxbridge.
On the cover is a photo by our fine photographer Lezley Woodhams of three unidentified children having the time of their lives portraying British soldiers during the War of 1812. The picture was taken during Heritage Days (the former Steam Threshing Show) at the Uxbridge Historical Centre (formerly the Museum) in the last weekend of August. For the last few years, organizers have invited a squad of military re-enactors to the event, and they’ve been a major hit. If you’ve never taken the kids (or even if you don’t have kids), mark it on the calendar this year. The corn on the cob is amazing.
And that’s what the Community Guide is really all about: marking things on your calendar. Although it’s primarily aimed at children, with details on March Break activities, swimming classes and summer camps, amongst a whole lot else, there are lots of things you can do with your kids - such as the Huck Finn Youth Fishing Day at Elgin Pond (it’s April 24 this year - mark it on your calendar) - and there are even things you can do without young ones at your side. The Ribfest (July 16-18) and Art in the Park (August 14 & 15) are just a couple of examples.
So sit down and go through the Guide with a fine-toothed Sharpie, from page 1 to 56; it’ll spark a few ideas, we guarantee it. There’s a schedule of the special trains on the York Durham Heritage Railway, and another of the Friday night concerts at the Foster Memorial. If you’ve never been inside the Foster, and we’re continually surprised at how many locals have managed to miss it, there’s nothing like the mesmerizing sound of a classical guitar echoing off those marble walls on a sultry summer night. Pure magic.
And don’t just read the articles, there’s a lot in the advertisements as well. Keep watch, for instance, for the one placed by Seagrave’s Northwood Zoo. It tells you the dates of the facility’s two “safari nights”, events which owner Norm Phillips assures us shouldn’t be missed by any youngster who’s fascinated by wildlife (and who isn’t?).
There are pages on all the events at our various historic sites, such as the Leaskdale Manse once owned by Lucy Maud Montgomery, or the Music Hall, or the Historical Centre itself, which offers some fascinating summer day camps. Speaking of which, pay particular attention to the colourful glossy centre-spread insert outlining all the wonderful day camp opportunities offered by the Township and its talented young staff. No matter what your child’s interest, there’s something there for him or her. And check it out now, because spaces are limited, the camps are incredibly popular, and registration is just around the corner.
The Community Guide is largely written by the creative folks at the Township’s Parks and Recreation Department, but it’s totally paid for by the businesses whose ads you see inside. Their gift to you and your family: a spring and summer chock full of enriching and delightful experiences. Enjoy!
