2nd Clyde River Lecture Series begins in February
In between Winter weather warnings and following a little touch of Spring in Winter, we can think of what activities we would like to take in. The Clyde River Lecture Series last year was popular and many people were asking if it could be continued. The Friends of Clyde River group extended invitations and we have three speakers confirmed for February. We hope for good travelling. Make sure to mark your calendars and plan to attend. Invite your friends and family from other communities as well. The lectures will take place at the Riverview Community Centre.
This year, we are spreading the lectures out over the year, so here are the three that will launch the 2014 series. I think they will be well worth getting bundled up for and heading out to learn, meet friends and enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Saturday, February 8th, 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Dr. Lawson Drake – Rare Words and Old Readers – Changes in Farming
Lawson Drake was educated at Prince of Wales College, MacDonald College, Cornell University and Dalhousie University. He taught biology and agriculture at Prince of Wales College and is now retired from UPEI where he taught biology. He served as the first Chair of the UPEI Biology Department and was its third Dean of Science. He is a native of Meadow Bank where he lives with his wife Eileen in a house built by his grandfather in 1881 on a farm that has been in the Drake name since 1852.
In his lecture, he will lead an interactive presentation “Rare Words and Old Readers” where he will highlight changes in farming during his lifetime and from earlier times. For example, he might ask you, “If someone gave you a firkin, could you eat it, spend it, put it in the bank, give it to someone else, fill it or plant it? His talk will no doubt stimulate some interesting discussions about farming.
Saturday, February 15th, 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Judy Shaw – Renovating the Shaw Family Homestead, St. Catherine’s
Judy is the granddaughter of Walter Shaw, former premier of PEI from 1959-66, and is now living in the family homestead in St. Catherine’s where she had spent summer vacations with her grandparents. She is the daughter of Bud and Ethel Shaw who live in Oshawa, Ontario. Judy is retired but is working as a consultant. She is a graduate of University of Guelph and worked for 34 years in regulatory affairs, government relations and public affairs with Syngenta and its legacy companies (Novartis and Ciba-Geigy), that included six years at Syngenta’s Global Head Office in Basel, Switzerland, on the product development team. Judy’s passion for agriculture led to a philanthropic giving back program focused on agricultural leadership in Canada as well as sustainable agriculture and hunger issues; enrolment with Imagine Canada; and a leadership development program for grower association board members to enhance their effectiveness as advocates for agriculture. Judy is currently the President of the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame and Director with Genomics Atlantic and, among many other previous roles, she has been President of the Canadian 4-H Council.
Judy will speak about coming back to live in the Shaw family homestead that her grandparents built and managing renovations over this past year. The home is a modified Cape Cod style similar to homes built in the 1860s and particularly to a home that her grandmother lived in while she was nursing in Boston. The home was built in 1923 on a farm settled by the Shaw’s in 1808. Judy will speak about the interesting things she found during the renovation, what is unique about renovating an old family home and gardens of a place with so many memories, what to consider, what to keep and what to change. She will bring along some old photos as well as some before and after shots.
Saturday, February 22nd, 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Jack Sorensen, Tryon & Area Historical Society – Capturing the History of a Community for Generations
Jack Sorensen is a retired Electronics instructor from Holland College who is now dedicated to developing a vintage radio collection, researching and interpreting local history and being active in church, cemetery and watershed activities. He chairs the Tryon and Area Historical Society, Archives Committee at South Shore United Church and Tryon Peoples’ Cemetery.
Jack will speak about the growth of their Historical Society and how it contributes to community spirit. Their activities include walks, talks, concerts, interviews with area seniors, establishing collections of historical artefacts and materials, developing interpretative trails and carrying out school heritage projects. Jack’s presentation will offer us a wonderful example of what another country community has achieved in capturing and celebrating their area’s history. Of particular interest will be how they actively support intergenerational events and projects where young people and seniors come together. Young people enjoy hearing old stories, and technology can be a great way of making history available in a way that interests them.
Lectures run from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and are followed by coffee/tea and homemade treats. If you have any questions about the lectures, please contact Vivian at vivian@eastlink.ca.