Field Notes for Winter 2019

What to see, do, try this winter.

November 22, 2019 | | Field Notes

Arts + crafts

These creative classes make spending time indoors this winter way more fun.

Sunny Orangeville painter Emma Pink brims with a passion for helping others find their inner artists. Her Paint-Your-Pet workshop ($45) runs Saturday, November 30, and her Create A Stocking event (two participants for $45, three for $55 or four for $65) is Saturday, December 7 – both from noon to 2pm at Orangeville’s Tony Rose Arena. Emma’s clever Warm Memories painting sessions involve creating artful expressions of fond recollections while sipping from wintery mugs of cheer – watch for upcoming dates. emmapinkart.com

Mono’s Lindsay Watson leads home crafting parties under her Kind Crafter banner. Hang out with a group of friends, indulge in food and drink, and learn to paint a sign, decorate a custom doormat, or another cool project (from $40 per person). Look out, book club! @kind_crafter on Instagram or email [email protected]

At Eraser Tip Art classes, Orangeville’s Harley Duck teaches Saturday morning cartooning classes for kids 7–12 at 9 and 10:30am. The University of Guelph art and English student charges $15, which includes supplies. Eraser Tip Art on Facebook or email [email protected]

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  • No time for DIY? Get out your calendar for these must-see craft shows. Holiday Treasures at the Museum of Dufferin runs Saturday, November 30 to December 15. On Saturday, November 23, visit the Homespun Holidays Open House in Melancthon, hosted by local crafting queen Jamie-Lee Higginson of Prim Pickins. Also on November 23, hit the Orangeville Christmas Market at the Orangeville fairgrounds.

     

    Medic Alert

    Calling all wannabe doctors, nurses and paramedics

    With its Grey’s Anatomy-meets-Bear Grylls vibe, the nonprofit Northern Peel Medical Venturers and Rovers (a division of Scouts Canada) trains youth ages 14–26 in first aid and emergency medical care. To get real-life experience, the program’s “MedVents” volunteer to provide medical services at area events under the watchful eye of mentor medical professionals. Caledon, Dufferin and Erin youth are welcome at the Thursday night meetings in Brampton. npema.ca

    Giving back

    Big-hearted locals make it easy to share the joy with others this holiday season. Here’s a sampling of how you can help.

    Believe Bags

    Orangeville’s Karen Ross-Smith is the good spirit behind Believe Bags. She fills them with personal care items, store cards and other treats collected in donation bins at area businesses. Then she gets them to local single moms.

    “In 2012, our first year, friends and family members put together 12 bags, enough for each mom staying at Family Transition Place,” says Karen. “Now we do 250 bags donated to charities including Family Transition Place, Orangeville Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin and District, and Dufferin Child and Family Services for distribution.”

    She takes requests too. “These are the most rewarding – I show up at their door with the gift bag for mom and surprise them with their child’s nomination. It’s so heartwarming and I get to feel like Santa!”

    This year’s donation deadline is Saturday, December 14. Visit Believe Bags Orangeville on Facebook for drop-off locations.

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  • Adopt a Grandparent

    Four years ago Shannon Smith started collecting donations of $25 to purchase gifts for seniors in retirement homes and hospices who may be lonely. She got the idea after visiting her late father at a hospital and then a hospice. Staff at local seniors’ residences and other groups help Shannon identify a few hundred “honorary grandparents” each year and she delivers the cheer the week before Christmas. Adopt a Grandparent Headwaters on Facebook.

    Fight for Five

    “Making change one bracelet at a time” is the mantra that guides Fight for Five’s Tina Fanzo of Erin and Linda Tull of Orangeville. Half the proceeds from their $20 baubles benefit five worthy foundations – Save the Elephants, Soi Dog Foundation, Rainforest Trust, Oceana Canada and Charity Water.

    E Find them during December at BookLore and Mochaberry in Orangeville or anytime online at fightforfive.org. (Another charitable shopping idea: the Erin Cares T-shirt, see Made In The Hills.)

    Henning Salon

    From December 1 the Orangeville salon collects non-perishable food items for the Saint Vincent de Paul food hamper program. henningsalon.com

    Museum of Dufferin

    Don’t forget to take donations for the Shelburne Food Bank when you visit the museum on the final Saturday of the Holiday Treasures sale, December 14 from 2 to 4pm. You’ll get to take part in a festive onsite photo session as a thank-you. dufferinmuseum.com

    Top notes

    You may need a bigger library book bag – Caledon Library’s Bolton branch now lends musical instruments! caledon.library.on.ca

    Mark the calendar: Talking trash

    Trash Talk: Local Action, Global Change at Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archives tackles the growing challenges of residential waste management, zeroing in on creative solutions across the region and world – until Sunday, March 22. Make a reusable tote Thursday, January 30. Visit a “repair café” with Sheridan College’s Operation Mission Zero Saturday, February 15. Or explore the 3Rs for Family Day, Monday, February 17 (free admission). Even Oscar the Grouch would be proud. pama.peelregion.ca

    About the Author More by Janice Quirt

    Janice Quirt is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

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