Ava Maria

MAKING KITES

                When I was a boy growing up on the farm making kites was a yearly spring hobby. When those March winds came there were plenty of stiff winds blowing and you could get any weight of kite flying in the air. I would use my jackknife and whittle a piece of cedar off a long cedar rail until it was round and smooth enough and small enough to be used for the size of kite I wanted to build.

            I made kites out of old newspapers. I made kites with tissue paper and I made kites out of cloth, some worn out flannel shirts or cotton shirts or bed sheets. One year after the war our neighbors got a silk parachute. They cut this up and used it to make clothing. They gave me a piece. I smoothed off a piece of cedar rail to make the wooden frame for the kite that was six feet high .Then I covered it with the parachute silk. I made a long tail for it tying cloth bows on a long string of binder twine. Then on a very windy day we got the kite flying. It went up and up and up. We had lots of binder twine and the kite began to look very small way up in the sky.

            The wind was so steady and strong that we tied kite to a fence post and watched the it  fly all afternoon. When it was time to bring the kite down we wondered how we were going to wind up all that string. Then we got a bright idea. We hooked a wooden spindle onto the power takeoff of our Farmall A tractor, put the power takeoff in gear and let the tractor do all the work of winding  all that binder twine string attached to our kite.

            These are fond memories of kite flying and still when March rolls around I think of the excitement of flying a kite.

December 18 2010

Bobbing For Apples



Do you remember the fun and excitement of bobbing for apples? I always looked forward to playing this game. We usually played it at birthday parties and Halloween. My sister’s birthday was August the 5^th.This was usually a nice hot day in the summer and we could set the round galvanized tub up on the lawn. Often we would just wear our bathing suits and not worry at all about getting wet or making a mess in the house. The tub was the same one we used to get our regular Saturday night bath in by the warm kitchen stove.

            All the boys and girls along our farm line were invited to the birthday party. Many games of tag and chase were played. We would have a 3 legged race and a sack hop, play a game of ball or anti-anti over the milk house but my favourite game was bobbing for apples. You would fill the tub full to the top with water, then throw in 10 apples of different sizes and kinds. Then two children would kneel on the grass one on each side of the tub, put their hands behind their backs and see who would be the first to get an apple out of the water just using his teeth. You would make a quick dart at the apple but it would dart away from you. Your head might hit the head of the other person as you moved around the tub with your hands behind your back trying to catch an apple. Sometimes you would get this apple by the stem but the stem would break and the apple would fall back into the tub. Sometimes you would put your head completely under the water and pin the apple on the bottom of the tub and bite into it and bring it out of the water.

            The winner was always given a big cheer and of course he would get to eat the apple. This was one of our favourite games at our Halloween parties at our school. Someone would bring the tub from home. It would be filled with water on the school room floor and we would have to be careful not to spill water all over the floor. We would get our shirts pretty wet though.

            Often at school we would tie a string across the classroom, tie a string onto the stem of the apple and the other end of the string tied onto the string across the classroom. You would tie a row of these apples onto the string. The children would stand in a row with their hands behind their backs. The teacher would say go. Then the fun began.

            Memories, such simple and fun games.

December 18 2010

Habitat For Humanity

The Paul Harris Award to

Jim Furler

Thursday October 28 2010

Well it is over! I have seen it ! I have been part of it.The annual Ed Schreyer Work Project  2000.Ten houses were built in Windsor Ontario in one week, July 16 to 21,2000.  

            Mind you they weren’t quite all finished,but on Monday when we started ,fourty people plus,gathered around each house site and started to erect prefabricated walls,put up the rafters,put on the sheating and start roofing, It was a hot day.We drank lots of water,enjoyed a large box lunch at noon,ate a hearty meal at night and were ready for a good sleep because the next day started at 6.00am.We were bussed to the site at 7 ,had announcements and devotion and were ready to start building again by 8:00.

            That was the hectic work schedule.As the schedule fell behind volunteers were asked if they could come back after supper and work till dark.

            Friday at 3:30 the ten houses were dedicated.The new owners and their families stood on the porches and ribbons were cut.It was a happy moment.The families had worked alongside their house volunteers all week.New friendships had been made.Here now was a real home—brand new—completely finished on the outside with siding and roofing,windows and doors in place.The green grass was there with new young trees planted and shrubbery and flowers.

            What a miracle ! What an accomplishment ! Hundreds of people working together over a week sharing their skills,cooperating--,seeing a job that needed to be done and doing it.Besides all the Windsor people, volunteers had come from all over Canada and the United States.Many grade nine students helped with the lunches.There were college students,retirees—people from all walks of life present.I met a man from Sault Saint Marie.He was there with his granddaughter. A man and his wife from Albany were there with their grandson from South Carolina. They had helped on many builds.

            At noon while we ate our lunches, which were donated by a different organization every day,announcements were given,sponsors recognized,and entertainment provided—from an opera singer ( who was helping on the build)to skilled Irish dancers.

            What a lot of organizing and planning must have gone into this great project! What a lot of volunteering!

            One of the highlights of the whole experience for me was hearing Millard Fuller and his wife Linda, the founders of Habitat for Humanity, speak at the orientation meeting Sunday July 16.

            Ed Schreyer also spoke and shared his enthusiasm for the work of Habitat for Humanity.Last year the Ed Schreyer Work Project was in Halifax,the year before in Newfoundland. People helping people get a simple decent place to live.

By the end of summer over 100 000 houses had been built by Habitat for Humanity International .A new house is being built somewhere in the world every 30 minutes.

            I wrote this   ten years ago when I returned from Windsor and pasted the account in my souvenir book called Grandpa’s Hammer.There is a picture here too of the Cobbler Family and the fourty volunteers who helped build them a house.On the back cover of the book is written ….

            Shelter is one of life’s most basic needs.When families experience the protection,warmth and safety that adequate housing supplies,life changes and the cycle of poverty ,despair,and hopelessness breaks.

            Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit,ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the earth.Habitat works in partnership with people everywhere to develop communities with God’s people in need by building and renovating houses,so that  there are decent houses in decent communities where people can live and grow into all that God intended.

            Jim Furler was on this build with me .He was working on another house.

Each year there is a week’s build somewhere in Canada called The Ed Schreyer Work Project. Jim has been on a number of them—in Regina—Halifax—Winnipeg—and Ottawa.

            Jim and I have been on the Board for Habitat For Humanity Niagara.We have been on the Building Committee,The Site Selection Committee and The property Committee. We were building one house a year.We have helped build 4 houses in St.Catharines,--3 in Wellend and 1 in Simcoe where the local Rotary Club was the main sponsor and builders.  Jim has continued working with Habitat.

            Habitat For Humanity Canada was founded in 1985 and built its first house in  Winkler, Winnipeg.It has grown to where it has over 35000 volunteers.The Head Office is in Waterloo Ontario.There are 73 affiliates like Habitat For Humanity Niagara covering all areas of Canada. This year the 1800^th home was built.

            The first ReStore was opened in Canada in 1991. Now there are 61 in the country and over 84000 tons of waste has been diverted from landfill sites and been recycled and used by the general public.The money earned from the ReStores has helped to build many Habitat homes.

            The Global Village Programme was started in Canada in 2005.This is where a team of people from Canada volunteer to go to other countries and work with other volunteers coming from other countries to help build Habitat Houses.

To date more than 4300 participants from Canada have travelled to more than 30 countries to help build over 1000 homes. Habitat For Humanity Canada now sends the most volunteers per capita in the world on Global Village Trips. Jim Furler has now been on 6 of these trips The last was in 2009 to Vietnam.

            I mentioned that Habitat For Humanity International had built 100 000 houses-- by the year 2000 --,a new house being built somewhere in the world every 30 minutes.Now HFHI is working in 93 countries and has built 225 000 homes.There is now a new home built somewhere in the world every 21 minutes.

            How does Habitat do this ? It must take a lot of volunteers and money. Many individuals contribute and many large corporations. I will mention just a few.

            Home Depot--- This corporation has become a strong partnership with HFHCanada.It has donated much product from its stores. The Home Depot’s volunteer force of associates has put in numerous volunteer hours from coast to coast in Canada over the years, rolling up their sleeves to swing a hammer and help build homes and hope.

            Microsoft---It is their belief that when technology meets passionate people the potential to make a difference in the world is unlimited. The headline from the article I read was—Building Futures through Technology—Microsoft software donation—helps Habitat reach full potential--   As the world’s largest software company, Microsoft has the capacity to help improve the lives of people everywhere.Through an Unlimited Potential Software Grant HFHCanada has received in excess of 1.3 million dollars worth of software and licenses for its 73 affiliates across Canada.

            This generous donation of software will allow Habitat affiliates to improve their productivity,increase their ability to collaborate and be more effective,and extend their impact.—Whether  fundraising,securing permits,managing sites--,selecting partner families--,administering mortages or keeping tract of volunteers, this donation allows affiliates to maximaze their time and reach their full potential to serve even more families in need.

Genworth Financial Canada-- this-corporation—created a contest that empowers children to build a house with words.   The contest invites children in grades  4.5 and 6 to use their own words to describe what home means to them. Kyle Dingle of St. John’s Newfoundland was the winner of the third annual  Meaning of Home national writing contest in 2009. Kyle was able to chose which community would receive a $ 60 000 donation from Genworth towards the building of a new Habitat for Humanity home. ----Here is his  essay:  It is heartwarming..

A HOUSE VS A HOME

            What is a house?What is a Home? There is a big difference let me tell you.

A house is just a wooden structure put together by nails and wood.Who really cares about nails and wood.Not me,but if I did not have a house-- like a lot of families-- I probably would--,especially when that house becomes a home! A home is a place where you feel warm and cozy.You have things around you that are special and have meaning,but most of all you are surrounded by people you love and who love you.A family makes a house a home by living in it and making it special.

            There are many,too many families in the world without a home,they don’t even have a house to live in.Many years ago a programme called Habitat For Humanity was started to help these families.They build houses all over the world for deserving needy families.The family along with dozens of volunteers get together for a few days and build a house.When the family moves in they make it a home.It is even happening here—literally-- right in our back yards.On my street a habitat house is being built right now.In Mount Pearl this past summer a lucky family got to build their new home.It is hard to believe --until one day you see an empty lot and just a few days later-- a house soon to be a home is in its place.It is mindboggling-- I can’t wait to see the family that moves in up the street-- and I hope they are happy now they have a home…….a house is just a house until a family makes it a home.

            John Bell   written up in an article in the Habitat Spirit newsletter—says-- he got a case of “ habititus” which has changed his life. He now has been building for many years. I expect it is the same with Jim Furler. John says the building techniques and temperatures vary greatly between the builds here in Canada and other countries but the experience—is similar…”Ultimately we’re helping to improve the community,helping a family have a house.Its an amazing feeling”

            In closing we simply want to thank people like Jim who become dedicated to the--Habitat For Humanity cause --and who volunteer and give of their time,their talent and skills-- at considerable cost to themselves --to help others in need….to give a hand up…and a lasting change to a family and their lives.

            I am happy to be here tonight-- to enjoy this dinner-- and to see Jim receive recognition and thanks-- in his home community-- for the work he does..This Paul Harris Award --given by Rotary at Noon-- is indeed an honour to receive.

            Jim has certainly travelled far and wide in support of Habitat . This year he went to Anchorage Alaska in June for 3 and ½ months -- and he hasn’t been long back from Birmingham- Alabama-- where he helped on this year’s Jimmy Carter Work Project--.While doing all  this--he has enjoyed experiences and adventures--,been introduced to new foods and culture-- and I am sure --has many memories from locations throughout the world. I hope he will be able to share some of these experiences with others-- who may too-- become excited and bitten with the “Habititus “ bug. Habitat For Humanity can always use more volunteers.

My 1952 Ford

               I remember the  second car that I owned was a 1952 Ford V8 sedan, green in colour.I bought it in 1958.I was told it was a one owner car the previous owner being a nurse.It was in perfect condition and very powerful.I remember the bench seats,the dashboard with the many round knobs.The speedometer needle had a little circle at the end of  it  which would circle the numbers on the speedometer as you increased speed.It would sit steady at 50 miles per hour at the straight upright position. You could darken all the lights on the dashboard or turn them up full. I put the radio from my first car a 1948 Studebaker Commander-in –Chief in it. Radios did not come automatically in cars in those days, it was an added luxury to have one.

                I drove on a lot of gravel farm roads in those days and one had to use a light foot on the gas pedal or you were jumping forward,gravel flying out from under the rear wheels in all directions. The gear shift was on the steering column. It was a thin chrome stick with a round knob on the end and it was so easy to switch gears.The car would just leap forward. This car had a boxy design,plenty of chrome with solid big bumpers.The windshield was divided down the centre and the wipers were small compared to today’s design.

                These were the days when everyone put snow tires on in the winter.I bought retreads then drove them all summer until the tread was completely worn away.The car had a manual choke and it was a pleasure to start up on a very cold winter morning. Everything was stiff and solid but all you had to do was pull out that choke,turn the key and the car roared right into life first try.That engine had a solid sound to it.The car was fairly light and as I said peppy. I remember telling my friends I didn’t think cars manufacturers  could ever make a better car. Well surprise, surprise ! I even had to roll the windows up by hand on this one.I had to buy my own side view mirror and there still weren’t any turn signal indicators on the cars.Still it was a very good car.The engine never wore out the body did.

                But my next car a 1955 Meteor with the long fins and pointed fenders had many more places for dirt to collect and rust to show up. Still if I could drive my boxy 1952 Ford V8 to-day I would be a happy man.

My 1955 Meteor

 

                It is 54 years since my 1955 Meteor was manufactured.I bought it in 1958.It was a big heavy car with lots of chrome on the large shiny bumpers.It was two tone with a sun visor,a reddish brown colour at the bottom and a cream on the top.It had a factory built radio with shiny push buttons.The aerial  was on the right front fender.I put new tires on it, black because whitewalls cost another five dollars.In winter time I used retread snowtires. I don’t remember doing any work on the V8 engine other than the yearly fall tune up,new spark plugs and points,then the car would start well all winter long.Over the years though I did a lot of body work myself.I used fibre glass kits and spray bombs from Canadian Tire.It didn’t look like a professional job but it was solid and I got some satisfaction in keeping my car looking pretty good with a small outlay of cash.The front fenders rusted out badly with large holes appearing. When I was finished with the fibre glass that was the strongest metal on the car.I used to wax the car to bring out the shine.The water would bead off the finish.

                Looking back over the the cars of this era now they  seemed to be so big powerful and heavy. The bench seats  were wide and you could curl up and sleep comfortably on them.I put seat covers on them.This Meteor was a fast car and I enjoyed its performance. My next car  a 1962 Ford Galaxie V8 was slightly smaller,seemed lower to the ground but was every bit as powerful. Such are the memories of my old cars.

The Manure Spreader

I went for a bicycle ride the other day and watched a farmer spreading a large pile of manure that had been dumped in his field.There were  three John Deere tractors in the field.They all had enclosed cabs I suspect with air conditioning.There was an industrial sized big bucket loader that was scooping up the manure and dumping it into very large manure spreaders.And the size of the field !It looked to be a country block. As soon as the manure was spread there was another large tractor there with a cultivator to work the field up and bury the manure.In three days everything was completed.

            Back in the 1940’s  when we were doing the job on Dad’s farm it took three weeks !The manure pile was out behind the barn and a team of horses pulled the manure spreader.A man used a five tyne fork, maybe two men were working at the job and it was their muscles that supplied the power. Our fields were mostly ten acre fields.

            I can remember a strange and scary incident that happened away back then.There was a line fence between our two farms. We had a gate in it which we used all the time.Year after year we went through this gate with our loads of hay.The cows walked through this gate all the time.This year we were spreading manure in this field going through the gate with every load.One time we came back through with an empty manure spreader and there was a big chuck and the back two wheels had fallen down to the axle in a hole.The horses gave an extra pull and the manure spreader came out.We went back to look to see what had happened.There was a six foot hole in diameter in the middle of the gateway.We looked down it for about twenty feet and saw water at the bottom.We learned later that many years ago before dad got the farm there was a steam powered saw mill on the spot used to saw the trees into lumber.This must have been the dug well to get water to operate the steam engine.The top of the well had been planked over and soil put over the top of that.The planks had finally rotted through and the large hole was left.It took many loads of earth to fill up the hole and make this gateway a safe spot to drive our wagons through.