Our Favourite Picks for Winter 2012

Must Attend

From the 1860s to the 1930s, tens of thousands of British orphans and poor children were sent to Canada to work as farmhands and domestic servants in what was conceived as a philanthropic move to give them a better life (but also to remove them as a burden on Britain).

Today it is estimated millions of Canadians are among the descendants of those Home Children, as they were known. But most of those young immigrants, ashamed of their roots, rarely discussed their origins and their story is not well known. Erin playwright Barb Perkins only discovered her grandmother was a Home Child a decade after her death. The information inspired Perkins to write Home Child: A Musical Journey.

The play previewed in Erin in 2oo5 (see In The Hills, autumn ’o5) and now Orangeville Music Theatre is bringing it back to the local stage. It will be performed at the Orangeville Town Hall Opera House from January 12 to 26. See orangevillemusictheatre.com for times and tickets.

Must Frolic

After all the frantic activity of the year-end festivities, winter can seem to stretch bleakly for months ahead if you don’t just get out and enjoy it. There’s a chance to do just that at the second annual SnowFest on Family Day, February 18, in Caledon.

There will be horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice sculpture and kids’ snow castle competitions, snowshoeing and dog sledding demonstrations, and a “chilly” cook-off by local service clubs and organizations.

Games include an East vs. West Caledon hockey showdown and ladies’ “SnowPitch” softball. Local firefighters also get into the spirit with a winter pentathlon, testing their mettle in such activities as an obstacle course, a target shoot – in blindfolds with snowballs, and a tug-of-war.

Admission is free and it all takes place between 10am and 5pm at the Caledon Fairgrounds in Caledon Village. For details, see snowfestcaledon.ca.

Must Arrive Safely

So you’ve had too much of the holiday punch? Or are just too plain partied out to drive? Call Home James at 905-951-9000 for a ride home – in your own car!

Home James is a designated driver service launched this year to make sure Caledon residents get home safely over the holidays. The volunteer initiative is sponsored jointly by local service clubs, businesses, individuals and the Town of Caledon.

The service is available from 9pm to 2am Fridays through Sundays from November 23 to Dec 30, and New Year’s Eve. The ride is free, though donations are appreciated.

For more information, or to volunteer as a driver, see homejames-caledon.ca

Must Volunteer

’Tis the season to think of others, and Volunteer Dufferin launched its new website this fall precisely to make it easier than ever for you to make good on that resolution to contribute to the well-being of your community.

At volunteerdufferin.ca you’ll find volunteer opportunities to suit every age and interest, posted by Meals on Wheels, Hospice Dufferin, Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, the Alzheimer Society, Theatre Orangeville, and more than 30 other Dufferin-based organizations and groups.

As Volunteer Dufferin’s motto puts it, “Give a little – get a lot.”

Must Get Creative

Painting, drawing, claywork, mosaics. Whatever your age or creative fancy, there is a new way to indulge it through Caledon Arts.

The organization is dedicated “to artistic growth and learning in our community” and is the reincarnation of CACY, the venerable organization that provided local summer arts programs for more than 50 years.

Caledon Arts offers year-round classes for children, teens and adults taught by local professional artists in Caledon East, Palgrave, Mono Mills and Caledon Village. There is also a portfolio preparation course for students applying to high school art programs. For class schedules, fees and other details, visit caledonarts.org