Artists create a bigger Gift for Newcastle

A work of art usually starts out as an idea, gradually taking shape as the artist forms something concrete out of something less tangible. In the case of Newcastle’s not-for-profit gallery A Gift of Art, the idea of founder Ann Harley actually called for concrete.

Using lumber, drywall, paint and concrete as their material – and 187 King Avenue East as their canvas – the artists of A Gift of Art have been hard at work, taking Harley’s idea of a bigger Newcastle home for the arts from the world of thought to the material world.

At issue: the four-firefighter minimum

The Clarington firefighters’ union was fighting fire with fire at a special council meeting last month, handing out a package of questions and answers to support its point of view, unbeknownst to the municipal fire chief, who was there to present a report on firefighter staffing. While both the union and the chief share concerns about safety, their differing interpretations of safety guidelines have left Council waiting for more answers.

Is the “four-firefighter minimum” a standard that the Clarington Emergency and Fire Services department (CEFS) should follow, or is it an ideal that just isn’t practical for this municipality at this time? That is the question facing Clarington Council. And it is not as simple as it may sound.

Newcastle park to be renamed after Atkinson

Joseph E. Atkinson - City of Toronto Archives photo

He lived an extraordinary life, if evidenced only by a few defining moments, such as when a stranger bought him a pair of skates in his youth, or when he turned down the title of baron in his middle age. He hobnobbed with prime ministers and Canada’s business elite, but never forgot what it was like to be poor as a youngster in Newcastle.

Historical design leads the way to downtown renewal

The just-constructed Shoppers Drug Mart building is leading the way to Newcastle’s downtown renewal. This seems to be the consensus of most of those who have a vested interest in the area: Newcastle residents, area merchants, and the Newcastle Village & District Historical Society.

The as-yet-unopened building, on the southeast corner of King Avenue and Mill Street, has been designed to incorporate the heritage theme of other historical buildings in the downtown. And while the occasional resident has remarked on the imposing size of the structure, most of those questioned in an informal survey by the Orono Times said they were pleased with the look of the new drug store.

Lions Club project leaves a living tribute

At the memorial tree for Roy Brenton Rickard are (from left): Joel Rickard, Doug Rickard, Jean Rickard, Beverly Elaschuk, Wendy Rickard, and Robin Rickard. Photo by Jean Graham.

While some of the trees in the Newcastle Memorial Forest had already lost their leaves earlier last month, a number of oak and maple saplings were making up for it.

Sporting brilliant cloaks of red and yellow, their leaves dancing in the afternoon sun, the young transplants couldn’t have been more vibrant on October 23rd. They were a fitting tribute, each one a living memorial, meant to commemorate the life of someone who died.

The symbolism was not lost on the group responsible for planting these trees, as they gathered that Saturday at the Memorial Forest for a dedication service. At least 150 people came out to mark 24 trees planted as a memorial for their loved ones, according to Newcastle Lions member Terry Graham.

Christmas memories will be on parade in Newcastle

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.”
– Francis P. Church, from the editorial page of The New York Sun, Sept. 21, 1897

Alas, how dreary Newcastle would be if there were no Santa Claus parade! It was a scenario to be contemplated after the death of parade founder Mark Hendrikx earlier this year. But despite the loss of the visionary Hendrikx, a whole new committee rallied to keep the parade — and the dreams of the children of Newcastle — alive.