Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Exploring Guelph Part 4

1. Buy a Guelph souvenir at the Hilltop Shop at the Civic Museum (#39 from the Guelph Tour Guide).

     I love owls so when I saw this scarf at the Hilltop Shop at the Museum, I purchased it. I wore it quite a bit over the winter with my blue winter coat.

2. Have cup of joe at Planet Bean (revised #37 from the Guelph Tour Guide)
Store on Gordon Street
    
     Planet Bean began roasting coffee in downtown Guelph in 1997. Theirs was the first roastery in the City for at least half a century. From the beginning, their focus has been on certified fair trade and organic gourmet Arabica coffee. The scent of their coffee roastery became a part of the downtown experience and has been an aromatic beacon for anyone with a fine sense of flavour.


     We tried out two of the three stores in Guelph. Lovely coffee, hot chocolate, tea lattes and treats.

Store downtown

3. Visit Silence Sounds to see an art exhibit. (we added this one to our list).

The faux chimney and smoke is a piece of art.
You can't miss that.

     Silence is a small unique space where music and art are on display. In November, Silence held a miniature exhibition where the art work could not be bigger than 6" by 6". Below is some of the art work. Interesting!

Teeth: Is it art?

A view of one of the walls for miniature art

     The mission of Silence is: Silence is dedicated to presenting sounds and musical practices that are diverse, challenging, sustainable and accessible through concerts, workshops and improvisation sessions. Silence serves as an incubator for practitioners and listeners alike. Silence is unbiased in regard to genre, culture, class, and tradition; we foster risk-taking, innovation and experimentation in all forms of music and sound, as well as other artistic expressions presented in the space. Silence is and will remain an accessible space.

4. Explore the roundabout at the corner of Farley and Clairfield -- part of the Westminster Woods community (we added this one to our list) 
Image result for Clock tower in guelph
The clock tower in the center of the roundabout.
Note just to the right is the replica of the Clair Farm house
     I suggest that you explore the community where you live. You never know what you will find. We lived in the south end of Guelph in the Westminster Woods community. It was developed by Reid Homes. It took several times of passing around(which we did on a daily  basis) the clock tower roundabout that I first noticed the boy with his pig. Upon exploring the corners of the roundabout you will find the stones of the original Hanlon Family pig barn along with the statues of a boy and a girl with pigs on one corner. On two other corners are replicas of the Hanlon and Clair family homes. On the fourth corner is a wishing well made of original stones of the pig barn.  There are several roundabouts in this community; all of them different.

A plaque inside the half walls reads:
The Pig Farm
The stone used in these ruins and the
wishing well across the street is
the actual stone from the original pig barn
that comprises part of the original 
Hanlon family farm (circa 1865). It was
located 60 metres to the west of this site

A boy with his pig. Notice the girl sitting on the wall in the background.
Farther back is the part of the Orin Trail system which weaves through the community. 


The girl sitting on the wall with her pig.


     You just never know what you will find in your community. Explore and you may be surprised!

5. Celebrate Canada 150 and Guelph 190 at the Guelph Civic Museum (#22 from the Guelph Tour Guide).

     The Guelph Civic Museum is situated high on the hill beside the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate. The Museum is located in the Loretto Convent. It has many exhibits of interest including a exhibit on the history of Guelph and the celebration of Canada 150. There is a specific area dedicated to the childrens' museum.
    

     To the Gathering Place: From the Attawandaron Nation that gathered to farm and trade, to the most recent newcomers journeying from across the globe, Guelph has been shaped and enriched by the individuals and families who have travelled to it. Through personal accounts, artifacts and images, To the Gathering Place presents an engaging selection of stories of those who have searched for new beginnings in Guelph.
A small display of Barbershop History. This caught Al's eye.
     I think that everyone should visit their local museum and learn about the culture of the area where they live. 

6.  Visit the John McCrae statue at the Civic Museum (#72 in the Guelph Tour Guide)
Outside the Civic museum is an area of grass with outlines of poppies.
The statue of John McCrae is situated here.


     A sculpture of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae by Ruth Abernethy was erected in the foreground of the Guelph Civic Museum in 2015. Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae is shown, with his dress as an Artillery officer and his medical bag nearby, as he writes. The statue shows the destruction of the battlefield and, at his feet, the poppies which are a symbol of Remembrance of World War I and all armed conflict since.
Statue of John McCrae depicting him writing his
famous poem "In Flanders Fields"

The poppies

Pen and book in hand writing "In Flanders Fields"







     History can tell us a lot about a person, our community and culture. Go and learn about your history.

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