What Is It?

On our evening walk along the Avon, I was startled to see a lady with two small dogs who appeared to be pulling little carts behind them. On closer examination and in discussion with Pat, their owner, I discovered these were not carts, but rather "doggie wheelchairs". We listened fascinated as she shared her story about the dogs who appeared strong and very capable of giving their mistress quite a run!

Haricot, 9 years old now, had come to her from the French Bulldog Rescue Centre. He had been run over by a car, and his owner had been so negligent that as he dragged his paws behind him they became raw, infected and were constantly bleeding. Loving care at the rescue centre and from Pat has brought him back to health. He has leather shoes for his back feet as he has some limited use of those legs and was constantly working himself out of the stirrups.This enables him to "walk" as he is able, but in a very supported manner.

Pearly is a more recent addition to Pat's family. She had been so badly abused in a puppy mill, that she has no use of her hind end. The rescue centre called Pat to see if she could take her right away rather than having her first adjust to the centre and then later to another home. Pat readily agreed. The wheels support Pearly's body so she can move quite freely. She craves affection and is very protective of any human who bestows love. As my friend was petting and playing with her, a large dog came by, and she seemed quite ready to attack if necessary to defend us all.

It is amazing the lessons one can learn while walking the Avon. Tonight it was a lesson in human love, and in the animals' determination to survive and to enjoy life to the fullest.

This article also appeared in Helen's column AROUND TOWN WITH HELEN HARRISON in Your Daily Source. September 8,2010

Sunset in the Park

I love to walk along the Avon at sunset.







The sky, the silhouettes,



The perfect reflections by the water's edge













The swans enjoying a bedtime snack.













There is peace in Stratford in the evening's glow.

SSM Opens With a Bang

Once again, Stratford Summer Music got off to a great start last night, with perfect weather for the concert on Tom Patterson Island.


At the bottom of Nile Street, we caught sight of a flotilla of dragon boats, festooned with banners and sparkly streamers, preparing to accompany the Summer Music Barge down the river, with the St. Mary's Children's Choir on board ready to entertain the crowds.
As we meandered towards lower Queens Park, tunes from the concert wafted over the evening breeze...jazz, rock, singers, bands. Those who paid for the seats on the island were treated to a varied concert with CTV anchorman Lloyd Robertson as Master of Ceremonies.

The higlight of the opening every year is an orchestral composition accompanied by fireworks. As it grew closer to 10 o'clock, the crowd of onlookers continued to grow. Stratford, as I've said before, loves a chance to party. So our citizens young and old crowded both sides to the river, the hill behind the theatre, the route along Snake Hill, and balconies of houses and apartments in the area, all taking part in their own way in the celebration of the opening night of the 10th anniversary of the Summer Music Festival.


Kudos and many thanks to John Miller and his associates who work so hard to bring quality musicians to the city every summer. Do try to get out and enjoy the fun.

The Fun Begins!

If you are lucky, you will be able to take in the opening of Stratford Summer Music with the orchestra playing on the island while fireworks split the air at Lower Queens Park on Monday night around 9 p.m. Then the fun begins! Until August 22, Stratford will be humming with music, much of it free and all of it very affordable. If you need to watch the budget, or you would like to expose children to a fun concert series, head down to the War Memorial for the next 5 weeks at 12:30 from Thursday to Sunday. 3:00 p.m. performances are added on the weekends. Take a picnic, sit on the grass and enjoy the "Barge Music". The Langley Ukelele Ensemble who are playing next week are truly amazing. Plan to arrive early to get a good spot on the lawn. Ben Heppner will also be in town performing from Tuesday to Saturday at St. Andrew's Church for a mere $35. On Friday and Saturday evening, Pazzo's will feature "Jazz Legends" from 9:00 to 11:30, and the Church Restaurant will host a "Saturday Night Live" cabaret starring comic singer Bruce Dow. You can find more information about these and other concerts at www.stratfordsummermusic.ca

I will be out and about during the Summer Music Festival, so will try to keep you informed.

Imminent Release of the Swans

Stratford's waterfowl are itching to be on the water. Yesterday we dropped by their winter quarters to see how they were faring.






It seems that they have caught Spring fever. Maybe they have sensed that tomorrow, Easter Sunday, they will take part in the annual swan parade. With bagpipes on hand to announce the occasion, they will march proudly past the thousands of visitors who come to see this annual event. The scent of the water nearby is good reason to drop the winter lethargy and pick up speed as they march, or should I say 'waddle', along Morenz Drive to the freedom of the river. With a final burst of energy they will race the last few yards down the ramp and into the water.

For Stratford, the releasing of the swans is like the initiation rite of spring. After the last bird hits the water, the crowds who come to watch will make their way along the trail the runs by the river. It is like we heave a collective sigh of relief knowing that we have survived the Ontario winter. The swans are on the water and there is a communal sense that all is well.

Soon the swans who have found their lifelong mates will be busy preparing nests and before long we will witness once again the miracle of new life as cygnets and ducklings entertain us with their joie de vivre. Easter is indeed a season of new life, of new beginnings.

Murder on the Avon

Wandering down to the river for one of our first strolls of the season, we were surprised when three mallards flew overhead so closely that their beating wings nearly touched our heads. We soon realized it was not a joyful journey but a pursuit. Eventually they landed upstream near the shore with a considerable flapping of wings.

Other ducks began swimming to the scene. It reminded me of a school yard, when a crowd quickly gathers to surround children who are fighting. Gradually the onlookers swam away leaving the original three. As we drew near we saw the viciousness of the attack. Two males were in the process of killing the female, biting her repeatedly on the head.

Following our human instinct we tried to intervene, to save the beleaguered young lady. Alas, it was to no avail. Moving on we realized that although we may not understand or approve, the natural world has her own ways. "Murder" is probably too strong a word. Maybe we just witnessed the way of the wild, and should rejoice in the fact that we here in Stratford live close to nature in its purest form...the survival of the fittest.

Hockey Day in Canada

All week the excitement had been rising. Along the river, rinks flooded to perfection by our local fire department had encouraged many to head out for free skating and pick-up hockey. On Tuesday, the CBC began moving in their equipment. By Friday everything was set for the big day. Stanley and all the other major Cups had arrived.


A huge tent was set up for a community breakfast.












Most of our downtown stores got into the action with window and storefront décor.



Today, Saturday, dawned bright and sunny. Despite the cold, the river area was bustling with activity amidst an air of festivity and fun. Thanks to Tim Horton's Hockey Day in Canada, we had yet another reason to enjoy our beautiful park area.

PICTURE PERFECT

A late afternoon stroll in the brisk, cold air of the January deep freeze, brought us to a scene out of the past. Rinks of all sizes have popped up on the Avon.

Pickup games of hockey, children donning their skates for the first time, folks huddled in groups to talk, or helping to shovel.

This is community. This is Stratford!

CHEERLEADERS

Canada geese are gathering by the hundreds on Lake Victoria.

Walking by the river recently we saw (and heard!) the most interesting display. The geese were floating peacefully when suddenly they began to honk, louder and louder in a great crescendo of sound. One of them stretched up on his legs in the water and flapped his wings with great strength. Others also began to beat their wings, causing a great stirring and splashing of the water. Slowly they lifted off and formed their noisy V across the sky.



This in itself is not unusual, as it seems to be a regular autumn rehearsal before they head to warmer places. What we had never noticed before was that the birds who remained began to honk vociferously as if cheering on their comrades. This cacophony of encouragement lasted for a short time, and then the whole scene repeated itself, again and again until the river lay empty and silent except for the low chatting of those who had stopped to observe.

Hunting

I went hunting tonight.

The cormorants have gradually been returning. On one of my walks I spotted 16 of them.

Last night when my friend and I were walking, we saw a new kind of water fowl. By the shape of the head, we thought we were watching baby loons. But no, it was the cormorants. I had not seen them in the water before. They are actually quite gracious and great fishers! Like a loon, they dive under the water and you wonder if they will ever surface. All of a sudden they pop up a little ways off, often holding a fish in their mouth. On the tree they look menacing...in the water, they really are rather comic.

So I went hunting tonight to see if I could capture a picture for you. They have pretty well stripped the top foliage from their present resting spot and tonight I saw one landing in a new tree. I wonder how soon they will ravage it.










It is all part of the natural cycle of life, and I guess I feel privileged to be able to observe.

Sky Dancers

July 21, 2009



Noisy and precocious
They danced across the sky
Flaunting summer colours
In bright array
Across the stage of night





Symphonic tones
Trailing through the cosmos
Heightened the spell
Of cultural delight
With ethereal sounds
And phantom shades of light



Stratford Summer Music has opened once again gracing the shores of our picturesque riverfront. The music on the barge will entertain our noontime picnickers, and downtown streets will host guerilla minstrels, who'll turn up in the most unexpected places to add to the ambiance of our fair town. Local churches, restuarants, cafes, City Hall, as well as outdoor venues in Queen's Park, will offer an array of international musical talent. Many free events as well as recitals at very reasonable rates are running from July 20 to August 15. Check out the website and come partake in the Stratford Summer Music experience.

www.stratfordsummermusic.ca