Tree of Hope - A Great Bonding/ Team Building Acitivty for Youths

The Tree of Hop adorned the stage of the fund raising luncheon at Across U-hub's new home in Markham

We went to the Across U-hub Open House last weekend.

Given a personal tour of the new facility, we were amazed at what the youths and the committee members to the warehouse turned youth activity centre.

The Tree of Hope made from Tim Hortons used cups

Of all the things we had seen at the centre, the Tree of Hope was my favourite.

 

The trunk

It is beautiful, creative, easily made without
costing a lot for material.

It was made by recycling used coffee cups from Tim Hortons. Because of the colour on these cups, there was no need to paint the trunk.





Making the trunk of the tree - Rinse and let the used coffee cups dry first. Cut and remove the bottom part of the coffee cups, flatten it and turn one edge of the cups to the underside. Glue and overlapping each cup until they form a circle.

Glue the circle of cups on a piece of pre cut cardboard in the shape of a circle. Then add and glue layers of the coffee cups on top of each other until they reach the desired height of the tree.

The youths also made wind chimes out of other used paper and plastic cups. They painted the colorless cups in different colours representing how they felt

Then, on one piece of paper, each youth wrote them his/ her fears. They strung these pieces at the top of their chime representing their past.

On another piece paper, they were encouraged to  look to their future and write down one thing they would like or hope to do.

After reflecting on their fears, hopes and dreams, the youth worked and put together the different parts of the chimes.
 
During the process of creating this tree, there were many opportunities for program participants to  search themselves and to express their inner fears and hopes with one another creating bonds and a community among the youths and the program leaders.

The end result of this program was not just a colourful, but a very meaningful tree for all program participants. Most important of all, it gave the youths opportunities to come together, explore their fears, anxieties and hopes, talked about them among their peers and mentors therefore creating a sense of belonging among group members and a community for them.

This was an outstanding community art project.  I look forward to more future community bonding projects organized by Across U-Hub!

R.T.
Markham, Ontario

Stair Wall Art in a Toronto Elementary School

Colourful paintings by students from this elementary cover the walls along the stairs.

Working with school administrators taking part in a professional development course, I have many opportunities visiting different schools in Ontario.

The stair wall art work depicts scenes of children engaging in various activities in the local school community

I have been visiting schools this week with a group of international principals from overseas.



We saw some beautiful art work done by the students of an elementary school and we were awed by the brilliant coloured and cheerful art work.


The art work was painted on the walls of the stairs leading to each floor. The principal informed us that the work was originally started by students from the primary section and it was done only on a small section of one wall.




As the students grew and moved from one grade level to another, they continued working on the painting. Some high school students, having graduated from the school, still came back and helped the younger ones to finish the painting.

The result was evident! Vibrant, colourful art work depicting happy children engaging in various activities and play filled the school stair walls.

 This wonderful stair wall artwork reflecting children in the community greets students and visitors warmly to the school.

I am a friend of Mother Moses' paintings. The stair wall art in this TDSB school reminds me fondly of her work.

R.T.
Toronto

A Pig Roast on a Dairy Farm in Cambridge/ Kitchener Area

We were invited to a Pig Roast on a farm in Cambridge, Ontario, last Sunday.
After visiting the Holstein and Jersey cows in the barn, we joined the others on the lawn for a Pig Roast!

The lawn was set up with tables and chairs for the Pig Roast.

 What a welcoming sight! Tents, tables, benches and numerous chairs had been set up on the green lawn to welcome the guests.

Cute little folding chairs for kids

 







Very often, Canadian barbeques are BYOC  - Bring Your Own Chairs, to ensure that you would have a chair on which to sit.

At the Pig Roast, there were ample chairs and benches; we had a place to sit even though we did not bring our own chairs!

The weather held out and we were able to enjoy a beautiful fall day outdoor.

A 102 lbs pig was roasting on a homemade rotating spit

The main star of this Pig Roast event was a 102 pound succulent pig being slowly roasted in a homemade covered BBQ stove turned by a rotating device.

The gentleman in charged of the pig roast informed us that he put the pig on the roast at 3 A.M. this morning!

Ready to sample the delicious, hot, juicy mouthwatering pork!

It was about 12:30 P.M. when we got there and the main course of the luncheon was ready as the internal temperature of the meat read well over 140 degrees C.

Lots of homemade wholesome food!

What a spread it was laid before us!

There were different kinds of homemade relishes, potato salad, plum juicy sliced tomatoes, Cole slaws, deviled egg, freshly boiled buttered corns, various kinds of fresh buns and the hot freshly off the spit roasted pig with crispy crunchy skin and meat so tender that it melt in your mouth!

Who could resist all these great desserts?

Yummy, delicious, fresh home made food, sweets, cookies, marshmallow treats and a generous tray of  Baklava - my most favorite dessert from the Middle East!

A great opportunity to socialize and get to know our folks in Christ's family

As we ate, savoring this sumptuous meal, lovingly prepared for us by the host and members of the church, a very friendly gentleman went around, greeting everyone and extending a very warm welcome to us.

Bruce, the host of the Pig Roast, we got to know him in this event.

He sat down at our bench and we had a lovely conversation with him.

Later on, we found out that his name was Bruce, the owner of this farm and the host of the event.

Everyone was welcome and made included at this event

We noticed that there were some Muslims guests among us.  Knowing that Muslims do not consume pork, the host prepared hamburgers for them.

How thoughtful and considerate was that!

Many new immigrants arrive to Canada every year, without much connection to Canadians and the Canadian culture.

Through events such as this, a Pig Roast, help to bring Canadians,  young and old, new and experienced together, providing all of us opportunities to talk, get to know and understand each other.

Kindness, generosity and a lot of hard work on the part of the hosting family and members of the Preston Mennonite Church have put a lot of warmth in many people's hearts today!

We went to this Cambridge farm Pig Roast as two strangers parachuting from Toronto, but we left feeling that we have made some friends in this small town.

We have also experienced a tiny slice of what life is like and how folks get together and have a party in a small Ontario town!

Preston Mennonite Church, Cambridge, Ontario

Thank you, Bruce, your family and the Preston Mennonite Church for the wonderful Pig Roast on your farm!

May God bless you for your generous and inclusive spirit!

.
R.T.
At a Great Pig Roast
Cambridge, Ontario


 

Visiting a Dairy Farm in Cambridge, Ontario

The Pig Roast was held at this Cambridge, Ontario dairy farm

I spoke at a Sunday Service in Cambridge last Sunday. After the service, we were invited to a Pig Roast at one of the members' house. We gladly accepted the invitation as I haven't been to a Pig Roast for a long time!

The Pig Roast was held on a dairy farm owned by a member of the Mennonite Church, not too far from the church.

We visited a dairy farm in Cambridge, Ontario

It was like an open house and guests were invited to tour the dairy farm. Being a city slicker, I have visited farms before but not a dairy farm. This was a good opportunity for me to learn something about our Holsteins which supply one of the main staples, milk, for our children.

According to the Canadian Food Guide - children are recommended to have 3-4 glasses of milk everyday. It is good to be face to face with the source of our food!

This is Figarro - a three year old Holstein

This dairy farm has around one hundred Holstein and Jersey cows. I met  Figarro, a three year old Holstein.

Figarro, standing among her peers, looked pretty strong and healthy. She is milked twice a day, visited by a veterinarian once every two weeks.

She ( and other cows as well ) even has a chart above her with some vital information recorded such as date of birth, weight and other data.

I also met two heifers, one of which kept licking the other in their stable.

Heifer - a female cow less than two years old. I came across the term a few times in the bible when it talked about the Isrealites makiing sacrifices to God. I was not sure to which was it referred.

 Now I met two in person frolicking right in front of my eyes !



It was only a short visit on this dairy farm. But I learned a few things already.
In particular,  after the calves were born, the bulls - the males would be sent away somewhere else to be raised or slaughtered for meat when they were ready, whereas the heifers - the females, would be kept back and raised on the dairy farms for milk.    Sorry boys! You've got to go!

I love interesting facts!

The Milk Truck comes 2-3 times a week to the dairy farm

Lucky for us, the milk truck came in while we were visiting the animals. Within a half an hour span, we saw the source of our food and how it is taken and then distributed to the market!


R.T.
Dairy Farm
Cambridge, Ontario

Across U Hub, a Platform for Canadian Youths

Amanda, a former program participant

East Asian Canadian students are typically stereotyped to be good students working hard and achieving well academically in schools.

Many teachers do not have to worry about these good students as they do well, and are quiet and do not cause any problems in class.

Unfortunately, this is only half of the truth. Many East Asian students do encounter problems in school, a problem of different kind that their parents and teachers do not normally see.

D. called Across U-hub his second home.

Some of the problems: low self confidence, identity issue, being bullied,  experiencing difficulty advocating for themselves, and expressing their true feelings.

Across gives youth a platform & a place to shine

Across U- Hub, an organization started by a group of concerned and dedicated Toronto educators and volunteers strive to address these issues.



It allows the youths a place to find their identities as well as providing a platform where they can discover and develop their potentials and strengths.

Across U-hub's new permanent home in Markham

A privately funded charitable organization, Across U hub was first established in ? and rented an office in Markham. Recently they have moved into a place which serves as their permanent home.
My husband and I were invited to attend one of their open house fund raising luncheon last weekend.



The office is located in the city of Markham, around the Warden and Steeles area.

Situated in an industrial area, the staff and youths of Across U hub have managed to transform a bleak cold warehouse unit into an inviting, warm and fun place for its program participants.

A comfy hangout spot for youths on the second level

They have done a fantastic job indeed!

As soon as we entered Across U hub's new home, we were greeted warmly and assigned to our Ambassador of the day, Amanda, a former Across member.

Creative wall art created and painted by youths decorated their Activity Room

Amanda acted as our guide and gave us a detail tour of the place which consists an open office space, a meeting room, a kitchen, a loft furnished with comfortable sofas where people can hang out, and a very spacious activity area converted from a former warehouse space.

One of the Centre Pieces for our luncheon table

The spacious activity area was where the luncheon took place.

Long tables covered in white linen tablecloths, decorated with painted flower vases recycled from empty bottles nicely painted by Across youths themselves adorned the Activity Area turned temporarily into a dining area.

 A thoughtful and personal touch for this fund raising event!

Instead of holding their annual gala in a hotel, Across did it in their new home!

Maria Y. shared research findings on the needs of our youths

Across staff, program participants and invited guests were able to mingle and interacted in this casual yet intimate setting.
 
 Nicole W. the executive director and Maria Y., a director, both did presentations about Across U-hub's vision, programs and needs of the youths and the centre.

Another beautiful art piece created by Across youths proudly graced the stage

We learned a lot of facts from the research findings about our youths and their struggles as well as how Across U hub has been able to address some of these needs successfully over the years.
 

Youths expressed their fears and feelings through art

As I was listening to these heartwarming tales from some of the young people who have been involved in the programs, I felt happy for those who called Across their second home.

This sense of belonging is so precious!
As an educator, I know how important the sense of belonging is to young people vulnerable to negative influences in our society.


It is through excellent work and caring organizations such as Across U hub that we can save our young people from joining gangs, going into drugs or being converted to some fanatic destructive groups in our society.

Pictures taken by Across youths in one of their weekly programs

Across U-hub, congratulations on moving into your new home and expanding your work!

To the staff of Across, we thank you and salute you for what your organization stands for and what you have been doing for our next generation!

Keep up your great work!

R.T.
Markham. Ontario
September, 2014

Festival Theatre by the Avon River, Stratford , Ontario

The Stratford Festival has been going on since 1953 in Stratford, Ontario.  Many of my colleagues and friends have visited and made weekend trips or annual holidays out of going to the festival.

A nice an hour and half  drive from Toronto to Stratford

A pleasant an hour and forty minute drive out of Toronto, Stratford is a beautiful city on the Avon River in southwestern Ontario.

We drove there last Sunday, after the early morning Sunday service. It was a sunny day with a blue sky and mild temperatures.

The Town of Shakespeare, just a few kilometers outside of Stratford, Ontario

We talked a little bit, grabbed a coffee from the Cambridge Enroute Station and drove past  rural scenery.




Before we even realized it, we reached a little town called Shakespeare, just a few kms outside Stratford!

After living in southern Ontario for nearly forty years, I did not even realize that we have a little town named after the famous English playwright.







We got to Stratford around 1:00p.m. therefore we had a few minutes to look around before the 2:p.m. show. After parking our car in a parking lot not far from the Visitor Centre, we strolled leisurely and enjoyed the activities in the park.
( Note: parking right at the Festival Theatre would have cost $12.00 - 18.00)  Our parking spot was only a stone throw away and it was free! )

Stratford - "The Prettiest City in the World"

View of the Avon river

 It was a lovely walk along the bank of Avon River! What a picture perfect scenery!

No wonder, Stratford was crowned as the " Prettiest City in the World"by Nations in Bloom in 1997!
Wow! ( We are even better than Paris?)


Ducklings and swans swimming on the river while birds hovering along the river banks and a few peddle boats passing by.

Avon River - A perfect place for a picnic!

With an abundance of  picnic tables and park benches placed throughout the river side park, many visitors brought picnic lunches, spread their tablecloth,  throwing their heads back, munching on goodies while sipping wine from their wine glasses, enjoying a quiet and unhurried moment.

Swans - a symbol of the city of Stratford

I could not get enough pictures of this tranquil and breathtaking scenery!

Art in the Park

There was also an Art in the Park event going on with many artists displaying and selling their work in the park.

Many artists displayed their work in the park

We could have easily spent a whole afternoon relaxing in the park and admiring all the art displays.



















 However, we were here for the afternoon show, and must arrive at the Festival Theatre a few minutes before.

Festival Theatre - One of the four theatres in Stratford, Ontario

Brilliant flowers in bloom - Festival Theatre gardens

 With the Stratford Festival, there are four theatres with different plays going on during the annual season. I think the Festival Theatre is the prettiest one.  I was glad that we were watching King Lear at this venue.

There were gardens with brilliant colour flowers in bloom in front of the Festival Theatre.

There was even a formal English garden with the Statue of Shakespeare welcoming audiences to the plays he wrote five hundred years ago!

Look delicious?  These were props displayed in the theater's  lobby

Before we went in to the theatre, we had some refreshments and took a look at the props displayed in the lobby.

Parts of the costume display

Audience Waiting for the King Lear Play at Festival Theatre, Stratford

The Festival Theatre is a three level theatre with quite a large seating capacity.

It was a full house for this play.

I studied King Lear years ago in high school and forgot most of what the play was about.

The King Lear Cast - Stratford Festival, Ontario

Though there was not a lot of physical change of scenery on the stage, the actors/ actresses brought the play to life!

The audience was very respectful  as there were no cell phones ringing nor flashlight pictures taken during the entire play.

 A beautiful sunset accompanied us during our drive home to Toronto

 ( I only took a picture before the play and at the very end when the entire cast came out for the audience.)






 It was lovely to spend a summer afternoon at the Stratford Festival!

I am glad that we did allow ourselves extra time to visit the town and enjoy the beautiful parks and gardens.

Garden in front of the Festival Theatre

We will make it our tradition to come to the Stratford Festival every year!

R.T.
September, 2014
Stratford Festival
Stratford, Ontario