On September 17th, a crowd of almost 80 people gathered at the Caledon Community Centre in Caledon East to hear an open forum Green T Speaker’s Series entitled “Your Town: Sustainable by Design”. It was an exceptional evening - at once entertaining and educational, and we've received much positive feedback about it already!
After opening comments by Green T’s founder Patti Foley, Caledon’s Mayor Marolyn Morrison spoke briefly to the crowd about the Towns’ commitment to Green initiatives before introducing the evening’s moderator - Caledon writer and Alternatives Journal editor Nicola Ross. Nicola then led the Crandall’s and the audience in a question-based discussion that was insightful, entertaining and at times, very touching. The discussion covered a variety of topics, investigating what makes a community work and grow, what makes Caledon special and what are some ways we can assure our town’s sustainability.
The Crandall’s (three sisters from a family of five) have lived in Caledon all their lives and, through each of their own area’s of expertise, are uniquely qualified to discuss the various ways to assure the Town’s sustainability. Debbe – a member of the STORM Coalition (Save The Oak Ridges Moraine) since 1990 and its Executive Director since 1999 - is an environmental activist. She spoke at some length about the concept of thinking globally but acting locally. Sarah, a nurse by profession, is a philanthropist and likes to put her resources to good use in support of Canadian Whale Institute, as well as countless worthy local projects. Sheilagh, a gardener and person of the Earth (co-owner of MsPlants) rounded out the panel and brought her own brand of wit and warmth to the conversation.
One question that Nicola posed to the audience early in the evening (“What makes Caledon special to you?”) had me thinking about my experiences since moving here 6 years ago. The assembled crowd spoke of many reasons for loving Caledon – the trails, the diversity, the unique physical traits of the area... but for me, it is something else that makes the area so special…
My husband and I moved here to raise our two children in a clean, green, rural environment - free of the tangle and crush of big city life. Within days of our arrival, we went shopping for groceries for the first time, and it was then that we realized we had moved from a house to a community. The other shoppers chatted to us as we moved among the aisles. The cashiers at the grocery store spoke to us like neighbours, smiling at our kids and offering to have someone help carry the heavy items to the car! But I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I realized each and every shopper was taking their cart back to the designated cart area – without prompting. To me – that is what is so special about Caledon. To think that - in a community that is a unique hybrid of founding families, escapee’s from the city, farmers, artists, professionals and blue collar workers – we had stumbled upon a little enclave of old-fashioned community values we’d both been raised with – but had thought lost forever.
I sat at the back of the room and listened as Nicola led the sisters through the evening’s discussion. I was struck by the shared history in the room. In addition to the panel on stage, a quick survey of the audience showed a current Mayor, a former Mayor, a councillor, at least one farmer, several community leaders, a few green neophytes, some very talented local writers, performers and artists, a few business professionals, some activists and more.
Each sister in her own way (and indeed, Nicola Ross herself), had a connection with this diverse group of people, and has enriched the lives of dozens of others. Their contributions – and the contributions of many of the people who made up the audience – are what serves to make Caledon a better place to live, work and play. The combined knowledge and passion of the panel and the audience -as well as their enthusiasm and commitment when it comes to teaching the next generation to respect the land and honour the people – will be what makes Caledon a sustainable community in years to come.
COMING UP:
In the next few weeks, Green T will be VERY, VERY busy! Here's a snapshot of what the first few weeks of fall looks like for us:
After opening comments by Green T’s founder Patti Foley, Caledon’s Mayor Marolyn Morrison spoke briefly to the crowd about the Towns’ commitment to Green initiatives before introducing the evening’s moderator - Caledon writer and Alternatives Journal editor Nicola Ross. Nicola then led the Crandall’s and the audience in a question-based discussion that was insightful, entertaining and at times, very touching. The discussion covered a variety of topics, investigating what makes a community work and grow, what makes Caledon special and what are some ways we can assure our town’s sustainability.
The Crandall’s (three sisters from a family of five) have lived in Caledon all their lives and, through each of their own area’s of expertise, are uniquely qualified to discuss the various ways to assure the Town’s sustainability. Debbe – a member of the STORM Coalition (Save The Oak Ridges Moraine) since 1990 and its Executive Director since 1999 - is an environmental activist. She spoke at some length about the concept of thinking globally but acting locally. Sarah, a nurse by profession, is a philanthropist and likes to put her resources to good use in support of Canadian Whale Institute, as well as countless worthy local projects. Sheilagh, a gardener and person of the Earth (co-owner of MsPlants) rounded out the panel and brought her own brand of wit and warmth to the conversation.
One question that Nicola posed to the audience early in the evening (“What makes Caledon special to you?”) had me thinking about my experiences since moving here 6 years ago. The assembled crowd spoke of many reasons for loving Caledon – the trails, the diversity, the unique physical traits of the area... but for me, it is something else that makes the area so special…
My husband and I moved here to raise our two children in a clean, green, rural environment - free of the tangle and crush of big city life. Within days of our arrival, we went shopping for groceries for the first time, and it was then that we realized we had moved from a house to a community. The other shoppers chatted to us as we moved among the aisles. The cashiers at the grocery store spoke to us like neighbours, smiling at our kids and offering to have someone help carry the heavy items to the car! But I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I realized each and every shopper was taking their cart back to the designated cart area – without prompting. To me – that is what is so special about Caledon. To think that - in a community that is a unique hybrid of founding families, escapee’s from the city, farmers, artists, professionals and blue collar workers – we had stumbled upon a little enclave of old-fashioned community values we’d both been raised with – but had thought lost forever.
I sat at the back of the room and listened as Nicola led the sisters through the evening’s discussion. I was struck by the shared history in the room. In addition to the panel on stage, a quick survey of the audience showed a current Mayor, a former Mayor, a councillor, at least one farmer, several community leaders, a few green neophytes, some very talented local writers, performers and artists, a few business professionals, some activists and more.
Each sister in her own way (and indeed, Nicola Ross herself), had a connection with this diverse group of people, and has enriched the lives of dozens of others. Their contributions – and the contributions of many of the people who made up the audience – are what serves to make Caledon a better place to live, work and play. The combined knowledge and passion of the panel and the audience -as well as their enthusiasm and commitment when it comes to teaching the next generation to respect the land and honour the people – will be what makes Caledon a sustainable community in years to come.
COMING UP:
In the next few weeks, Green T will be VERY, VERY busy! Here's a snapshot of what the first few weeks of fall looks like for us:
- Saturday and Sunday, September 26 & 27 - visit our booth at the Bolton Fall Fair - we'll be there for the whole weekend - top of Bolton's south hill!
- Saturday, October 3rd - be sure to visit the Green T booth at Caledon Day. Taking place at the Caledon Town Hall grounds, Old Church Road in Caledon East!
- Thursday, October 8th - We'll be on site from 3-8pm for the last Caledon Farmer's Market of the 2009 Season, with activities, facepainting and information.
Later on in October, we have a very special version of the Speaking Green Speaker's Series planned... keep watching the blog and the website for details!
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