2010-06-24
The boys have been working on dismantling the Atkinson barn once again. Here's Al Saseniuk demonstrating walking tall and carrying a big stick…. or, is that Peter Sporring demonstrating his graphic arts abilities?
2010-05-23
2010 at the Mill is officially underway with the season's Opening Day held today, Sunday May 23rd. The Board Chair, Dave Little, welcomed visitors; Madoc Township Reeve Robert Sager and Centre Hastings Reeve Tom Deline each offered a few congratulatory words as did Madoc Councillor Charles Robinson and Centre Hastings Deputy Reeve Tom Simpson.
Peter Sporring demonstrated the saw mill in action, Hazel Gill presented a garden stepping stone demonstration and Clara Hopkins staffed the sales centre for plants maple syrup. Katie Hinchcliffe, one of our 2010 Summer Interns, was on hand at O'Hara House, Gayle Ketcheson was Head Mistress at the Log School House and Grant Ketcheson presented the Carriage House and its extensive collection while the Heritage Gardeners puttered about the magnificent gardens. Garry Barry was busy at work in the Woodworking Shop and smithy, ?, had the forge fired up in the Blacksmith Shop.
The afternoon was a most relaxing community get together with great opportunity to socialize and marvel at the beauty and serenity of the O'Hara Mill Homestead. See a few photos of the afternoon here.
The site will be staffed on Saturday and Sunday through June beginning May 30th and through July and August on Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sadly, it has become necessary to maintain security at the buildings at all times. Consequently, building access will only be permitted by way of supervised tours. Our intersns and any volunteers present will make every effort to accommodate visitors.
2010-04-02
With the coming of Spring, things are starting to buzz around the Mill again. The Visitor's Center decorating committee has been busy planning. Dave Little has crafted some furniture for this initiative in preparation for the official opening of the building which will coincide with Opening Day.
Dave Little and I (Dennis Linton) attended the Crowe Valley Lion's Club Meeting last evening to do a presentation about the O'Hara Mill Homestead. This is the third such presentation we have done since last Fall. They have been well received.
Some of the items, including cabinets by Dave Little, being offered in the 2010 edition of our Annual Dinner Auction are now on display in the window of the former V&S store in downtown Madoc.
2010-03-24 The O'Hara Mill Waltz
Mr. Bruce Osborne, a well known fiddler from Northbrook, Ontario, e-mailed me last evening to pass along a waltz he composed recently and titled The O'Hara Mill Waltz. If you came in by way of the main page, you will have heard a version of this tune already. If not …
2010-03-10 It's Maple Syrup Time!
Mike and Wendy Sniderhan and the O'Hara Volunteers have been hard at work boiling maple sap since late last week. We now have maple syrup for sale – details.
2010-02-07 Web Site Update
The Management Board page has been updated for 2010 pending the February 16th election of officers and the appointment of a Municipality of Centre Hastings representative.
2010-02-05 Web Site Updates
We have been implementing the major web site updates for 2010 over the past few days. Updated and new pages include:
- Getting the Events Calendar and Guest Book working again. The Events Calendar has been updated with the 2010 Special Events information.
- Mill Pond Dam Upgrades (major update)
- The Heritage Gardens (major update)
- Typical Plantings and Layout (mainly the renaming of this page)
- All event pages under Events (major updates to reflect 2010 dates and event contacts) There are still some blanks to fill.
- 2010 Volunteer Opportunities (new)
2009-12-07 Christmas at O'Hara's
Our Christmas at O'Hara's event, held at the Homestead on December 4th, 5th and 6th once again proved very popular. See the photo gallery.
2009-11-22 O'Hara Display at the Madoc Fall Fair
Katie Hinchcliffe, one of our 2009 interns, and her mother did a delightful job of representing the O'Hara Volunteers Association and the O'Hara Mill Homestead at the 2009 Madoc Fall Fair. An amazing presentation was created using flowers and produce from the O'Hara Mill Homestead gardens and the gardens of O'Hara Volunteer Association members.
Visitors to the display underscored the continuing community interest in the O'Hara Mill Homestead with their comments and donations.
2009-11-19
We have just received word that the most recent edition of Country Roads Hastings magazine, Winter 2009, is now on store shelves. This edition presents a great article on the 2008 Christmas at O'Hara's event.
