REQUESTS TO / FROM READERS...

Teresa Nickels-Prilesnik is looking for any post cards with inscriptions mailed to Germany or North America from the July 2, 1927 voyage of the Canadian Pacific ship Empress of Australia, Southampton, to Quebec City, Quebec. Photocopies would be appreciated for genealogical research. And...

Teresa is also looking for any post cards, documents, personal family recollections or letters with reference to or about enemy alien registration and reporting during World War II in Waterloo (County) Region and surrounding townships. She is researching this topic for an article in a future Waterloo Historical Society volume. Contact Teresa at 519 886-8623 or nickels@golden.net

Jane Epp is writing a history about the St Jacobs mill and would like to hear from anyone with memories (good or bad) of the mill and her dad, Clifford Snider, who owned the mill from 1941 to 1975. His dad Walter was the owner from 1919 until his death in 1927. Executors of Walter's estate ran it until 1941. If you have memories or photos, please contact Jane at rainbowremedy@sympatico.ca or send a note to her home at 79 Somerset Cres., Waterloo N2L 1N1.

Waterloo Historical Society will be celebrating its centennial in 2012 and we would like to have a few more people on a committee to implement ideas. If you would like to be part of this process, or have questions about it, please contact Warren Stauch 519 744-2935 and mmegeo@golden.net or Marion Roes, 519 883-1448 and mlroes@sympatico.ca.

KUDOS AND CONGRATULATIONS !

The New Hamburg Independent Heritage Edition, February 10, 2010 has historical photos, stories and even ads about life in the past lane. "Memories and Milestones: 60 years and counting for the 'old barn'" by Ernie Ritz is a feature-length article celebrating the anniversary of the arena.

Ruth Tomlinson received the Lieutenant Governor's Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement for her volunteer contributions to conserving community heritage over a period of 25 years or more ! Ruth is a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Weavers' and Spinners' Guild and has demonstrated and shared the craft of weaving at Doon Heritage Crossroads for 40 years. www.heritagefdn.on.ca

Lorraine Roth was named as the recipient of the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada's Award of Excellence for her lifelong contribution to the preservation of Canadian Mennonite History. The award especially noted her meticulous research on the history of Amish Mennonite families who settled in Upper Canada in the 1820s.

St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmira is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. A 2010 commemorative calendar of photos and documents includes playbills for performances at Elmira's Regent Theatre in the 1930s and 1940s by St Paul's Lutheran Walther League.

St James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmira is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year. Historical displays will be at the Elmira library branch; special services and concerts are planned.

John English won the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing for his book Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, 1968-2000. "A superb biography," editorial, Waterloo Region Record, March 16, 2010

Heritage Showcase at Conestoga Mall, Waterloo, organized by Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, was many "teachable moments" Saturday, February 13. Learners and teachers talked about all aspects of history; new members signed up, books sold, autographs were signed, questions asked and answered, photos admired and business cards were exchanged.

WHS member, Patty Clark was a volunteer at the Winter Olympics, one of the many who made the events enjoyable for participants and spectators. A WHS reporter who attended, said that it was well-organized - especially transportation - and credits the volunteers.

National Volunteer Week is April 19-25. For your community work with WHS and with other organizations... THANK YOU to all Waterloo Historical Society volunteer

WANDERING AROUND, ONE SEES...

"Choice" is a collection of four large-scale bonnets or "prayer coverings" installed along the walking trail beside Father David Bauer Drive, skirting Waterloo Park. Sculptor Ruth Ebernethy who lives in Wellesley, described "Choice": "The designs included denote the skirted bonnets of Waterloo's early years, the subtle differences in conservative coverings and the simplicity of the neatly circular, contemporary prayer cover... An ideal place for a moment's pause, to meet a friend, or to serve as landmarks, these simple forms honour heritage and history with a sleek high tech steel finish. They are photogenic, practical and extremely durable. How fitting to commemorate the first 150 years of Waterloo with sleek, steel symbols executed with sophisticated digital photography, computer rendering and CNC cutting."

The Pioneer Cemetery at 372 Snyder's Road East, Baden, Wilmot Township with its few remaining stones, has been recognized with a commemorative sign. If you would like to know its history, Google Old Baden Cemetery.

HISTORICAL EVENTS & INFORMATION

Ongoing

Visit the City of Waterloo Museum in Conestoga Mall and see the exhibit "Good Sport: A Tribute to Sports and Recreation" until June 30. Hours are Wednesday - Friday, 1 - 4; www.waterloomuseum.ca 519 885-8828.

Castle Kilbride, 60 Snyder's Road West, Baden 519 634-8444 or www.castlekilbride.ca
"Timeless Toys" exhibit starts April 1 with teddy bears, trains, trucks. Feel like a kid again. Sale of Peter Etril Snyder limited edition prints of the Castle, which he says was "God's Eye view [which] I executed after a trip in a small plane," is a new fund-raising initiative. Cost is $140. Call the Castle for information and see the print at www.snyder-gallery.com >search for Castle Kilbride. 100% of sales supports the Castle Kilbride Trust Fund.

The Company of Neighbours' archival collection is at Hespeler Heritage Centre, 11 Tannery Street East, Cambridge. Open Monday - Friday, 8 - 4; Saturday, 8 - noon and other times by appointment. Ask about the "RCMP uniform connection to Hespeler" story... or read the first minutes of the Corporation of the Village of Hespeler, January 19, 1859. Tours are welcome. Contact Lary Turner 519 651-0032 or neighbo@golden.net or www.thecompanyofneighbours.com .

Some of the 2010 sites for Doors Open Waterloo Region are now at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/doorsopen .The theme for September 18 is: Made in Waterloo Region. Arts and heritage organizations are invited to promote themselves by provide programming at sites; e.g. music, drama performances, crafts for children, information displays, etc. Volunteer photographers are wanted. Information, to volunteer or to have your organization at a site, contact: Jane Snyder or Karl Kessler doorsopen@region.waterloo.on .ca or 519 747-5139. WHS plans to be at the Historic Kuntz House, Waterloo again this year.

Joseph Schneider Haus, (JSH) 466 Queen Street South, Kitchener www.region.waterloo.on.ca/jsh
Call 519 742-7752 for a brochure with this year's many events and dates. The Spring Lecture Series explores artifacts as measures of culture and time: Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, March 31, April 14, 21 and 28. "To You With Love" through May is an assemblage of heart-decorated artifacts from the museum's Folk Art collections.

JSH Backyard Tourists trips are May 6, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16. Call 519 742-7752 for information, itineraries and to pre-register for these enjoyable and educational journeys.

The Waterloo Central Railway is starting its 2010 season on March 27 with trips to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. For tickets and details of the 2010 schedule, see www.steam-train.org .

April

Region of Waterloo Archives celebrates Ontario's annual Archives Awareness Week, April 6 - 10 with an exhibit and an event at 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Details to be announced by Charlotte Woodley, archivist at 519 575-4757 x3027 or check www.region.waterloo.ca/archives .

Wilmot Heritage Day will not be held this year. It will be next year in February with the theme" "Culinary History of Wilmot Township: Recipes of Our Past."

May

The Waterloo Region Museum and Doon Heritage Village opens May 1 and will be open daily, 10 - 4:30. International Museum Day will be celebrated in the new Waterloo Region Museum, May 18, 3 - 8 pm with remarks late in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome. www.region.waterloo.on.ca/museum

North Waterloo Region Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario 30^th anniversary, Thursday, May 6, 7 pm, Rockway Centre, 1405 King Street East, Kitchener. Speaker is Lloyd Alter, president of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. Information from John Arndt 519 578-7624 or jarndt@sympatico.ca.

Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge Regional Post Card Club meets May 12. Doors open 7 pm; program and speaker, Roger Miller at 7:45; Doon Presbyterian Church, 35 Roos Street, Kitchener (Doon area). Information from rychmills@golden.net or 519 742-4990. All are welcome to explore another aspect of collecting history.

Waterloo Historical Society meeting is Saturday, May 15 at 1:30. Doors open at 1 at 2791 Bleams Road, New Hamburg. Marie Voisin will speak about "My Affair With William Scott," telling stories that aren't in her book about the founder of New Hamburg. For information, contact rychmills@golden.net or Marion Roes mlroes@sympatico.ca . All are welcome and there is no admission charge.

Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, May 16, 2 pm, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 54 Queen Street North, Kitchener. All are welcome to attend. To nominate someone for the Hall of Fame at any time, see www.region.waterloo.on.ca/fame .

The Victoria Park Gallery opens May 22 and will be open weekend and holiday afternoons, 1 - 4:30 until October. Contact rychmills@golden.net or 519 742-4990 or drive, walk, bike to The Gallery and see the historical displays of Berlin/Kitchener/Victoria Park ... people, books, artifacts, pictures, post cards.

Victoria Day in Victoria Park celebrates Queen Victoria's 191^st Birthday May 24 at 11 a.m. at the monument. At noon is a concert featuring the Kitchener Musical Society Band. Explore The Gallery afterwards.

June

Edward Halter House and Museum is open Sundays, 1:30 - 4, June 6 through September. Genealogy research material, history books, the museum and the old walled cemetery across the street are four of many reasons to visit and learn from members of the Historical Society of St Boniface and Maryhill Community.

Ray Ruddy will have his Historical Preston exhibit at Treasureventure, June 12 from 9 - 5 at the Rockton fairgrounds, Rockton. Treasureventure brings together antiques, heritage, fringe sport, treasure hunting, eco-adventure and entertainment. www.treasurventure.ca or 905 627-3538. Admission charge.

Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario spring meeting is June 12. Details will be at www.mhso.org . In the morning, Sam Steiner will give a talk on How the Evangelical Missionary Church grew out of the Mennonite Church in the 19th century. In the afternoon, Sam will lead a bus tour to areas of interest in the K-W area.

June 19 was declared United Empire Loyalists Day in 1997. If you would like to celebrate - and don't know where or how - see www.uelac.org