Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES®

In 1990 Jack and Linda Hutton honeymooned on Prince Edward Island where they learned that L.M. Montgomery holidayed for two weeks in Bala in 1922 and based her book "The Blue Castle" upon her time there. This book was written during the time she lived in Leaskdale.

Jack and Linda Bought the former tourist home where Montgomery had her meals after hearing it might be torn down. Upon purchasing the 1909 home they spent a year restoring it to the 1920's era. Since it opened in 1992 as a Museum that has attracted close to 90,000 visitors.

They have on display first edition copies of all of LMM's 22 books along with copies of many of her books in other languages. They have a silver tea set, on loan from her grandson David Macdonald, that was one of her wedding gift. One of the exhibits is the boat that sank under Megan Fellows in the TV movie "Anne of Green Gables". They also have hand written excerpts and photos of LMM's Bala Diary.

For more information about this and other Muskoka Museums visit the Muskoka Tourism Site. This site is a wealth of tourist related events, places to see and things to do. You can fill your calendar every week with things to see and do

Water is essential to all life yet we have allowed corporate America to bottle what is essentially free and plentiful in most parts of North America and sell it back to us. Evalyn Parry in Her poetic song about Water describes it as The New Oil, If you have not heard her song it is well worth a listen.

If one accepts the information Quoted on the unesco site in 2003 water availability versus population information indicates that South America has 6% of the worlds population and 26% of the worlds water resources while North and Central America hosts 8% of the population and has 15% of the worlds water supply 41% of the water supply is in the Americas who have 14% of the population. Meanwhile Africa has 13% of the population and only 11% of the water resources and Europe has 13% of the worlds population and 8% of the water.

"Water is life !It is a precondition for human, animal and plant life as well as an indispensable resource for the economy. Water also plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle." from the eu web site on the environment

"As of 2006, waterborne diseases are estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths each year while about 1.1 billion people lack proper drinking water" wikipedia

Is Your Well Water Safe

Some of the things you should look for to ensure your well is not being contaminated

• any septic system is properly functioning
• ensure no leaking fuel or oil storage tanks (leaks from a vehicle could also be harmful)
• ensure pesticides and fertilizers are properly stored and used
• livestock and other animal feces/manure is well away from your well
• ensure that any run off from the above

Have It Tested Regularly

help to ensure the quality of the water you consume

• a minimum of three times a year
• more often if you suspect or know of potential problems
• more often if your well is vulnerable to outside influnces (see above) or if your well is a dug well
• after any major plumbing work

Understanding the water cycle Water for kids with activity pages

37th ANNUAL STEAM THRESHING & HERITAGE DAYS
Saturday August 23 and Sunday August 24, 2008, 10am - 5pm

Perched on a hill overlooking the rolling hills and country side that surround and encompass Uxbridge sits the Uxbridge Historical Centre where history comes to life once again.

Travel back in time and discover the life of the pioneers. Once again the ever popular 1812 Village and Re-enactment the War of 1812 will be back by popular demand,

Stroll the grounds and the buildings, see Steam Engines, Gas & Oil Engines Antique Cars and Trucks, Pioneer Arts & Crafts, Displays and Demonstrations.

Enjoy horse drawn wagon rides, children's games include an opportunity to participate in tractor pulls using pedal tractors, and musical entertainment, said to include singers, dancers and cloggers. To satisfy the hunger pains home baked goods and refreshments are available.

Fun for the Whole Family!

The Museum Grounds are located just one mile west of the centre of Uxbridge, and about 1/4 Mile North

Free Parking!
ADMISSION - Adults $6.00 Children free if accompanied by an adult.
Museum, Conc. 6, Uxbridge (905) 852-5854
Steam Show Coordinator - Carol Johnson (905) 852-5097

Pictures are fom last years event near closing time

August 22nd to Aug 24th The 19th annual Eaglewood Folk Festival is ramping up to present some great Canadian talent in this years festival. While in the past the festival has had talent from across North America they are sticking to Canadian talent this year and have lined up some great performers. Eaglewood is totally Wheelchair accessible and even has Braille program Guides. If you cant make it to the festival The University of Toronto member driven radio station CIUT 89.5 fm will be broadcasting live from 1pm to 11pm on Saturday or on-line at www.ciut.fm

"Folk" music as presented at the festival is said to be "the kind of music you might play at a party, songs you can jam on and have a good laugh afterwords. Good Music by good people"

This years line up of talen includes Brent Titcomb, Brian MacMillan, The D. Rangers, Darlene, David Essig, Donné Roberts, Evalyn Parry, Hey Stella, , Kobo Town, Kristin Sweetland, Liam Titcomb, Little Miss Higgins, Nathan Rogers, Old Man Luedecke, The Perpetrators, Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley, Sheesham & Lotus, T. Nile, Tannis Slimmon, Treasa & Lisa, Wabs Whitebird, British Native Allies, The Georgina Community Drum Circle, The Bloor Street Gospel Chorus.

For a sampling of the music click on the links The D. Rangers, Evalyn Parry, Little Miss Higgins, The Perpetrators

Fall Fairs signal the end of summer, the last hurrah for some before the return to school but this year is just a little different for a small community with something to be very proud of. You see Uxbridge was home to the famous author Lucy Maude Montgomery who resided in Leaskdale from 1911 to 1926 and here, as the wife of Rev. Ewan Macdonald a Presbyterian minister, is where she wrote 11 of her 22 best selling novels. One of those 11 was "Anne of the Island", written in 1915, was the third book of her most famous series that began with "Anne of Green Gables"

August 20th Uxbridge tourism will receive a big shot in the arm with the help of a few local friends. The Canadian National Exhibition is featuring a "100 years of Anne" display in the Heritage Court of the Direct Energy Centre. The Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario, the Township of Uxbridge, and Gribble Landscape Creations have joined forces to create a showcase of the author's writing and photography along with her love of gardens as a tribute to this popular Canadian author.

August 20th has been declared "Uxbridge Day at the CNE". Uxbridge has organized a parade through the midway starting at 6:00pm which will feature Uxbridge's celebrated Town Crier, the Legion Colour Party and Pipe Band, A horse and surrey with local councilors on board, our antique fire truck and a model train courtesy of the York Durham Heritage railway.

Pictured below is the Manse in Leaskdale,
a hamlet in the Township of Uxbridge,
Where Lucy Maud and Rev. Ewan Macdonald
Lived while Rev Macdonald preached at the church

For other upcomming events of the Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario, Visit their website.