Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Huron’s men and women answered the call; theme of Doors Open event

DOORS OPEN HURON ~ DEFENDING A NATION shares their stories
David R Hill, Preliminary Flying School, Centralia, 1957
Embracing the provincial Doors Open theme for 2012 “Defending a Nation”, Huron County
acknowledges the men and women who responded to the call and supported worldwide
military efforts. Doors Open Huron - Defending a Nation features 24 heritage buildings
 and unique cultural sites across Huron County open to the public - free of charge - on
October 13th and 14th from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. daily.


Along with the number and variety of sites open, the event
also features many other programs and activities during the weekend.
Doors Open participants will discover the stories of locals who served and
defended the country and learn about heroic war efforts from the past 200 years.

This county’s diverse range of defense-related sites include four British
Commonwealth Air Training Plan bases that sprung up during World War II. And,
although these sites are no longer in active operation, veterans, historians,
memorabilia, displays and documentaries highlight memories and tell the
compelling stories of duty and commitment as well as sacrifice.
Cenotaphs of Huron - a unique self-guided map and driving tour generously
sponsored by the Maple Leaf IODE will be launched during Doors Open Huron.

Included in the historical sites, memorabilia, and tributes in Huron County this year
are: the Huron County Museum which houses the McGee exhibit about No. 31 Air
Navigation School at Port Albert, Sky Harbour Gallery in Goderich home of
Elementary Flying School No. 12, the South Huron Town Hall and Legacy Garden
as well as the Library which shares the Centralia story re Flight Training School
#9, the Royal Canadian Legion R.E. Pooley Branch 167 in Exeter, and the story
about radar from RCAF Clinton will be presented at the Regional Equine and
Agricultural Centre Huron (REACH) (note shortened hours for this site).

Special programming for the weekend includes war plane shows at Centralia’s
James T Memorial Airport (CYCE) and Goderich Airport (CYGD), a pipes and
drums salute, a Secrets of Radar Museum exhibit and presentation in Clinton
celebrate yesterday, today and tomorrow documentary films in South Huron and
Goderich, a rededication ceremony, and special church services in Blyth and in Exeter.

Huron County Museum will host Glasfax, a heritage glass company who’ll hold a
Canadian Glass Identification Clinic and share their presentation on Canadian Glass
Factories. People who want to know more about their own glass treasures are
encouraged to bring these glass items during this presentation to find out details of the
age and background of their valued items.

There are a number of remarkable cenotaphs created by appreciative communities
throughout Huron County. A new and unique self-guided map and driving tour will
be launched and available to the residents and the visitors of our area. This special
brochure has been generously supported by the Maple Leaf I.O.D.E. and the
research and design was completed by Rhea Hamilton-Seeger. Over the years
many communities paid their respects to those who fought and those we lost
defending our nation with these cenotaphs placed to honour all who’ve served
Canada’s military campaigns.

And, Huron County also features three trail hikes during Doors Open Huron,
October 13-14. For six years now, Trails Open Ontario has been promoting trail use
and education, natural heritage conservation and stewardship, as well as physical
activity and a healthy lifestyle. Modelled after the successful Doors Open Ontario
program, Trails Open Ontario provides an opportunity for all Ontarians to access
and celebrate the remarkable trail systems that exist throughout the province. In
Huron, the Maitland Trail Association offers a 3 km guided hike each day - Saturday
October 13 and Sunday October 14 and the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association
offers the Sawmill Trail hike on Sunday, October 14th.

Doors Open Huron - Defending a Nation is sponsored and co-ordinated by
Huron Arts & Heritage Network and is generously supported by the federal
Canadian Heritage programme, Building Communities Through Arts &
Heritage, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Townships of Ashfield-
Colborne-Wawanosh, Morris-Turnberry, North Huron, and South Huron.
Full details are available at www.doorsopenhuron.wordpress.com or call
519.523.4328

– 30 –
Contact:
Karen Stewart, Event Programmer
Huron Arts & Heritage Network
519-523-4328
kstewart@ezlink.ca

No comments:

Post a Comment