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The Banner/The Era, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
You tell us Fall begins this weekend and leaves have already started changing colour. What is your favourite place to view fall colours? Let us know at tmcfadden@yrmg.com
you
THE EAST GWILLIMBURY ERA
It’s
COUNSELLING - Individual, Couple, Grief (including Unsupported Grief) - Budget Control, Life Coaching ARLYN BALABAN C.B.C., C.S.W., C.FMED, C.G.C.
MEDIATION - Parenting/Custody/Separation Agreements
Aurora - Private & Confidential 416-606-7375 arlyn_balaban@hotmail.com
A section about you and your community
TOP 5
Things to do this weekend View some art
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The third annual East Gwillimbury Group of Artists show and sale is Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. at Newmarket Theatre. Meet the artists and view examples of their paintings and photography. Artwork will be displayed at the theatre until December. For more information, call 905-953-5122.
Get spooked
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Spirit Walk Aurora is Saturday at 7 p.m. Join host David Heard for a walk to learn about the spirits rumoured to be roaming the peaceful streets. Tickets are available Saturday at the Aurora Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds support the York Region Abuse Program. There will also be walks Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 and 27. For more information or to make reservations, call 905-717-6447 or visit astepintime.posterous.com
Sing and dance
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Groove and Play is Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at the Mount Albert library, 19300 Centre St. Discover the joys of music with your child. Join in the singing, dancing and musical games. For children ages two to six. Admission is free. For more information, call 905-4732472 or visit egpl.ca
Gillis helps nurse horses back to health BY SIMON MARTIN
smartin@yrmg.com
When Pat Gillis made a trip to Niagaraon-the-Lake to look at four horses, she got more than she bargained for. The owner and operator of Harrogate Hills Riding School in Mount Albert was making the trip to see if the school could use the horses. After all, the photographs the owner provided were promising. The reality, however, was much different. The horses were being neglected, skinny and living in deplorable conditions, she said. One horse, Hawke, had a case of laminitis; the disease that brought down Secretariat. While Secretariat got the best care money could buy, Hawke had been left to wither in his stall, out of reach of food and water. The animal hadn’t seen a blacksmith for far too long, Ms Gillis said. “When I went into his dark stall to see him, I wanted to throw up and then I started to cry,” she said. “I thought to myself, ‘How could someone do this to the poor horse?’” The owner told Ms Gillis she had fallen on hard times and was doing the best she could. That wasn’t good enough for Ms Gillis. You have a responsibility to your horses to care for them or find someone else to do so, Ms Gillis said. “She could have called people who would have taken the horses,” she said. “I know if I’m in that situation, I could call my vet or my riders. I would figure something out.” The OSPCA investigated 1,200 cases involving horses last year, investigations and communications officer Brad Dewar said, noting the organization checks the validity See RESCUED, page B4.
Receive support
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The Wellness Within Disability Conference is Saturday, 9 a.m. at Newmarket High School. It features workshops on creating and maintaining financial, emotional and physical wellness for people with disabilities and their families. Admission is free, but a donation of a non-perishable food item would be appreciated. Visit wellnesswithindisabilityconference.com
LOCAL HERO What is a local hero? It’s our way of recognizing someone, a “regular” person, who has inspired you, be it with one small, selfless act or by living a life that makes a positive impact on others. Nominate your local hero by e-mailing Simon Martin at smartin@yrmg.com
STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE
Pat Gillis with one of the rescued horses she is nursing back to health.
Walk the dog
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Bark for Life is Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon at 465 Davis Dr., Newmarket. Walk the Tom Taylor Trail with your dog to tell cancer it barked up the wrong tree. Registration is $15 and participants will receive a doggie bandana, T-shirt and swag bag. Visit cancer.ca/ barkforlifenewmarket
After 100 years, Pollock not acting age BY SIMON MARTIN
smartin@yrmg.com
Russell Pollock’s life has been anything but 100 years of solitude. If the East Gwillimbury resident were to pen an autobiography, it might be entitled 100 years of physical activity. Mr. Pollock celebrated his 100th birthday Saturday, but he hardly acts his age. He just gave up riding his bicycle this year because he could only make it halfway up the hill at his place on Catering Road. Oh, and he was biking in the snow. “I have a lot of experience,” he said. The man has hardly been a withering
flower during his years in the community. When people wanted to get something done, they would often call Mr. Pollock because he had a way of swaying people to his side. He has been a farmer, worked for the Town of East Gwillimbury and York Region, been a councillor for East Gwillimbury and served as a board member for York County Hospital (now Southlake Regional Health Centre). “I kept five jobs a lot of the time,” he said. “I never asked for a job in my life.” Sit down with Mr. Pollock and he will regale you with tales of farming, land ownership and his work in the community.
He’s not short on words. “I bought (my grandfather’s farm) when I was awful young for $3,500,” he said. Although he sold it a long time ago, he said it might be worth around $250,000 now. The subject of land prices causes Mr. Pollock to shake his head. Times were different back then. Mr. Pollock remembers the great depression as a tough time to make money for a farmer. “They wouldn’t give you no money at all. It was bad. Pork was 3 cents a pound,” he said. It wasn’t difficult to find workers, however.
Join us for our
Grand
Re-opening • Raffles • Giveaways • Dog Massage • Pet Pictures • Free Nail Clipping • Free Refreshments
See 100-YEAR-OLD, page B4.
Saturday September22nd 11am - 6pm
5 off $
any purchase of $30 or more*
Based on regular priced merchandise. One coupon per customer. Present to receive discount. Coupon expires September 30th, 2012.
STIRRED INTERIORS Home of Lesia’s Drapery workroom
Pet Adoptions – North Toronto Pet Rescue 11am-5pm •In home consultation •Fabric library •Drapery hardware •Design/build home furnishings •Reupholstering •Colour consultation •Shopping escort
C
M
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™ Trademark used under license. #2188
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194 Prospect St., Newmarket • www.stirredinteriors.ca • 905-836-7714
17205 Leslie Street, (next to nofrills store) www.petvalu.com Newmarket • (905) 830-6888