B4 THE FORESTER, Wednesday, December 23, 2009 The Huntsville Forester DINING & ENTERTAINMENT New documentary series features local history Visual Heritage Project fi lms to air on TVO Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 9 the Ontario Kent. While regional television stations have The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an OTF continues to strengthen the capac- Visual Heritage Project series The Shield shown many of the projects, The Shield will agency of the government of Ontario. For ity of the volunteer sector through invest- will premiere on TVOntario. This eight- be the first to be broadcast to a provincial over 25 years, the foundation has supported ments in community-based initiatives. part documentary series on the history of audience. the growth and vitality of communities For more information, please visit www. Muskoka, the West Parry Sound District, “TVO is committed to programming that across the province. trilliumfoundation.org. the City of Greater Sudbury and Manitoulin explores all aspects of Ontario’s history and Island will air on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and culture. We are particularly pleased to bring run until Feb. 27. our audience these fascinating, comprehen- This dynamic series was shot in high sive films that really bring our province’s definition and is the work of professionals rich local history to life,” said Christine Lee, and local volunteers who gave their time to head of history acquisitions at TVOntario. re-enact historic events, research local sto- When discussing the series, director ries, make excursions to historic sites, and Zach Melnick noted that his team is “always give interviews about their past. Funding for intrigued by the quality of the stories (they) the not-for-profit project was secured from find in areas that may not have received the Ontario Trillium Foundation, FedNor much attention in the past. The history of and community groups in 2006. these communities is anything but ‘quaint.’ After engaging more than 250 actors, From the rebellion on Manitoulin Island to recording 150 video interviews, scanning the shipwrecks of Parry Sound to the envi- more than 5,000 archival photographs and ronmental devastation of Sudbury and the sketches, creating 3D animations and an battle over resources in Muskoka, looking original score, and passing the scrutiny of beneath the surface revealed that there’s local steering committees, four projects much more to the ‘near north’ than the cav- were completed in the summer of 2008 to alcade of colours.” create The Shield. The projects included One of the goals of the Ontario Visual in The Shield are: Life on the Edge, Stories Heritage Project is to create multimedia from Muskoka’s Past, Riches Beyond Our tool kits to teach, preserve and promote the Rocks, Stories from Greater Sudbury, Rooted history of Ontario to audiences young and in Stone, Reflections on West Parry Sound’s old. While the documentary is the central Past, and Island of Great Spirit as well as The component of each project, it is augmented Legacy of Manitoulin. by a website where the videos can be viewed Each project has been divided into two in streaming media, a course-guide for edu- episodes for broadcast on TVO. However, cators, and an interactive DVD which allows viewers can still enjoy the full-length ver- viewers to access stories via a timeline, sion of each project by purchasing a DVD through their location, or according to their from their local museum or not-for-profit theme, and also includes 60 minutes of group. Check out the project website at additional stories and content. In the spring www.visualheritage.ca for a full listing of of 2009, complimentary DVDs were sent to retail partners. every school, library, and historic site in the The Ontario Visual Heritage Project Muskoka, Parry Sound, Sudbury, and Mani- has previously seen success in seven other toulin Island areas. DRESS REHEARSAL: Grade 9 Huntsville High School concert band fl utists Gregory counties in Ontario, including: Haldimand, Visit www.visualheritage.ca to learn Gibson, 14, and Samantha Salberda, 14, warm up their fl utes before a school concert Norfolk, Brant/Brantford/Six Nations, Elgin, more about the project and how your com- on Tuesday, Dec. 15. The band performed at the Algonquin Theatre. Their previously Oxford, Sarnia-Lambton, and Chatham- munity can get involved. scheduled concert was cancelled because of snow. PHOTO BY CARLI WHITWELL Lots of holiday fun to be had FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS at Hidden Valley Highlands Winter operations are now in full swing Friday, Dec. 25. at Hidden Valley Highlands. The hill will also be open from Dec. 26 to The following is a schedule for the next Dec. 30 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. few weeks. The hill will be open today from On Dec. 31, the hill will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and there will be a fire- 24, the ski hill will be open from 9 a.m. to works display at 6 p.m. 4 p.m. and the torchlight parade will take Call ahead to find out what the snow place at 6 p.m. conditions are at 789-1773. You can also Those hoping to get a bit of Christmas visit the Hidden Valley website at www.ski- skiing in can do so from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on hiddenvalley.on.ca. COMMUNITY CALENDAR December 5 – 24 ❏ Community Recognition Awards will be ❏ Santa will be at the Huntsville Place Mall presented to outstanding community vol- in his sleigh until Thursday. Visit www. unteers at the Algonquin Theatre at 7 p.m. huntsvilleplacemall.com for times. Categories include sports and recreation, December 24 arts and culture and general community. Visit Everyone is welcome. ❏ A Christmas Eve torchlight parade will December 31 take place at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area. Club members and staff will hold ❏ Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area will torches as they ski down the Flying Dutch- be hosting a New Yearís Eve fi reworks and man run. The procession includes Santa bonfi re. Call 789-1773 or 1-800-398-9555 Claus and starts at 6 p.m. Call 789-1773 or for more information. www.huntsvilleforester.com 1-800-398-9555 for more information. December 25 May this season bring you happy memories ❏ St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will be holding a community Christmas dinner to cherish through the years. at 2 p.m. Rides to the church, located at and 1 High Street, are available. For informa- Sleigh Rides tion, please call the church at 789-7122 or Donna Todd at 789-2193. Winter Horseback Riding December 30 ROGERS COVE ❏ Watch the Olympic torchbearers as they Beautiful, Private, Retirement Residence stop here for a community celebration at Groomed Trails River Mill Park at approximately 1 p.m. For 4 Coveside Drive, Huntsville, ON www.chartwellreit.ca more information about the torch relay visit Call 705-789-1600 www.vancouver2010.com..