A Room Of My Own

Rich in History. High in Achievement. Belleville is home to Sir James Whitney School, one of North America’s oldest schools for the Deaf, opening its doors on October 20, 1870. This past October, SJW held a celebration to commemorate its 140 th anniversary. One of my all time favourite grade school memories was touring this amazing school with my grade six class from St. Michael’s Academy almost 30 years ago. Recently, I was privileged to visit it once more. “The school was founded through the persistent efforts of John Barrett McGann, an Irish immigrant and educator,” says Gary Wheeler, a representative with the Ministry of Education. McGann was a pioneer of deaf education. The school is named after the former premier of Ontario, James Whitney, who was known for his advances in education.  Crossing onto the grounds and up the long circular drive, you can feel the rich history this school and the vast grounds hold. This history includes a self-sustaining community that at...

Allyson Tufts and Andy Forgie entertain. Luke Hendry/The Intelligencer/QMI Agency As I began to explore hospice care with a neighbour of mine, memories of my own experiences began to flood in; sponging the mouth of my great aunt, reading her favourite poetry to her, and the gentle touch of the nurse when it was time. I also clearly remembered the time when I was present as my father was facing his end of life. As I recounted my experiences, me the interviewer doing all of the talking, I paused and realized that I was really being listened to. Across from me was Bonnie Delaney, Executive Director for Hospice Quinte and a true face of compassion. She said, “The patients I have been involved with have taught me so much about grief.” The Belleville area had the first freestanding residential hospice centre in Ontario. Hospice Quinte has grown to over 125 volunteers participating in an excellent home care program. Bonnie is well aware of the exhaustion with home care, both physi...

COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING SUMMER 2011 By Janet Craig and Janet Jarrell Corkscrews Prince Edward County is Ontario’s newest wine region in Canada’s fast growing wine and viticulture industry. As the interest in everything to do with wine branches out, the connoisseur in us all strives to keep up. When a friend listed the new and different kinds of corkscrews now on the market, it was a priceless lesson for all eager wine aficionados. I don’t know of anyone that has just one single corkscrew in their home, most have a favourite that they reach for when it’s time to open the bottle. If you’re away from home and desperate, log on to Utube, you’ll learn how to get the cork out with the heel of a dress shoe, if you’re in the woods, use a tree trunk. It really does work. Corkscrews can range from the very simple to the very unique and intricate. Basically, the majority of corkscrews can be classified in two separate categories: leverage, where the corkscrew has a lever used to...

A double ceremony recently held in Trenton Ontario meant for a full day of honour, respect and remembrance for our military personnel. To begin with, the repatriation ceremony of Canada’s 156th fallen soldier, Bombardier Karl Manning, made its way down the Highway of Heroes to CFB 8 Wing. Attendees included government officials such as the Governor General David Johnston, family members and the public at large. This solemn event was followed by the beginning of a nation wide tour of the Portraits of Honour mural. This hand painted mural is a staggering 10 foot by 40 foot memorial depicting, with striking precision, all Canadian soldiers, sailors and air crew that have given their lives to the war in Afghanistan. The artist, Dave Sopha, is the son of a Canadian soldier and a British War Bride, and also a member of the service club Kin Canada in Cambridge Ontario. In response to the loss of Canadian soldiers since 2002, Dave began to do what he does best; paint. As an accomplished ar...

As you stroll in downtown at your own comfortable pace, take a break from your window-shopping, take a moment and look up and let your eyes explore the old façade of the buildings down here. The detailed architecture is a reminder of the history that these buildings hold. Every downtown core housed a Woolworths Five and Dime, a Kresge’s Department store or an S&R, and if you look close enough, you will be able to make out the buildings they once occupied. Downtown shopping is more than just getting the things you need, it is really a chance to slow things down, an adventure into the past, to a time when you knew everyone who you were buying from. Recently on a sunny afternoon, I made my way into one of my favourite antique shops to browse for a gift. “Hello Marina,” I said to the owner. She returns my hello with a big welcoming smile and asks, “How are all your girls?” She knows I am heading for the hats. I love the comfort of knowing the owner by name, the familiar feel to this s...

It’s February 9th, 1964, and millions of families in North America are glued to their black and white television set, witnessing history. Ed Sullivan announces “…New York City never has witnessed the excitement stirred by these youngsters from Liverpool who call themselves The Beatles…”Mark Rashotte was all of nine years old, and he recalls that evening quite clearly; his sister sitting within inches of the screen, he and his brother close behind her, and his parents behind them. Mark’s father calls out “Those boys need a haircut”, and Mark was thinking “there is something big going on here”. On that same evening, not far from the Rashotte’s home in Belleville, Andy Forgie is watching too and is “absolutely overwhelmed by Beatle mania.” Both Mark and Andy recall the electricity and excitement of that night. And there the dream begins… Mark and Andy's first band. Shortly thereafter, Mark started guitar lessons at Charlie Kramer Music and Flags downtown Belleville. Al...