Asphodel Norwood’s Senior of the Year

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Each year a municipality has the opportunity to nominate an outstanding senior for the Province of Ontario’s Senior of the Year Award. This honour recognizes a senior (over 65) who has and continues to enrich the social, cultural or civic life of the community.

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This year’s Asphodel Norwood Award was presented to a more than worthy recipient Mr. Rob Gordon. Rob’s dedication, passion and volunteerism have helped preserve Asphodel Norwood’s heritage and enrich the cultural landscape in truly remarkable ways.

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A keen supporter of the Asphodel-Norwood community for decades, Rob was a long-serving member of the former Norwood Historical Society and remains an active follower and supporter of the (now called) Cultural & Heritage Committee.

His talents are wide-ranging. He is a former long-time member of the Donegal Fiddlers, a volunteer with the Norwood Fair’s art section and the creative mind behind the Cultural & Heritage Committee’s annual Fair Theme Scarecrow Challenge.

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In May of this year, he was formally honoured by the Cultural & Heritage Committee for his exceptional work in preserving and promoting local history.

He is also a Life Member of Branch 300 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Norwood, where he created their Military Museum with a specific focus on local military history and the contributions of veterans from the township. (Rob has since passed the curator position on to others and is very pleased to see the museum continue to grow under the new leadership.)

Over the years, he has shared his knowledge and passion through historical talks, engaging and educating others on a wide variety of topics.

Professionally, he has had an accomplished career as a photographer, with a specialty in commercial art. He opened his own Toronto based studio in 1967 and holds a degree from the University of Toronto. He also worked as a freelance photographer and reporter for the Globe & Mail.

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Rob is also an accomplished author with four published history books. They include “Toronto: A Story in Stone” a fascinating history of the architecture and the stone cutters and masons that created some of Toronto’s famous buildings. “Dressed in Khaki: Profiling a Norwood Soldier”, “Captains & Colonels of Peterborough County” a military history of the County and “A Cruel Bargain, The Commuted British Soldiers in Upper Canada”, his just released new book looks at the British Governments severely flawed program to commute the pensions of British soldiers and settle them in Canada in the 1800’s.

Rob Gordon embodies the very spirit of the award: lifelong service, creativity, community pride, and a deep commitment to preserving the stories that shape who we are.

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Rob was presented with his certificate at an Asphodel-Norwood Council Meeting at the end of October.

CWL Bazaar

The festive season is on the horizon and it time for those highly anticipated annual craft and goodies sales known as bazaar’s to begin. One of the first ones to be held in Norwood, by tradition is the annual St. Paul and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Women’s League Christmas Bazaar and Chili Lunch. This year it is being held on Saturday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Norwood branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, 26 Alma St. The league will have their popular bake table and raffle draw, as well as a wide array of local crafts people and artists featuring woodworking, homemade preserves, sewing and knitting, blankets, handmade greeting cards, signs and more. If you come to enjoy their famous chili lunch (with dessert of course) your ticket will cost $10, you can skip the chili and just have tea or coffee and dessert for $6. Admission without refreshments is $2. Children 10 and under dine for half price.

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One of a kind Hospice event

Norwood Hospice continues its promotion and fundraising mission for the Norwood facility. On Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. they will be set up at a “One of a Kind” Artisans Show, Sale and Lunch at the Rotary Hall in Campbellford, 179 Saskatoon Dr. This Christmas Bazaar styled event is will feature at least 14 talented “Crafters and Vendors” offering a large variety of items for sale. A tasty soup, sandwich and dessert lunch will be available for $10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. all proceeds will go to Norwood Hospice. Admission to the show and sale is free and the venue is handicap accessible.

More Bazaars’

Bazaars are of course not exclusive to organizations from Norwood; a short drive next door to Hastings is always a worthwhile trip as St. George’s Anglican Church, 38 Bridge St. S. will host their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, November 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests will find home knitting, Christmas themed gifts, their large book room sale and more, they can also enjoy the church members well-known hospitality as they partake in a tasty lunch, delectable desserts and of course coffee and tea. Admission free, lunch $10, all are welcome.

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Christmas Shortbread

The bakers have assembled at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Norwood to begin production on this year’s batch of the church’s famous Christmas Shortbread. The buttery biscuits have been a greatly anticipated church and community tradition for six decades. While they always have some shortbread available at their annual Christmas Bazaar, the best way to ensure that you will not be disappointed is to order in advance by calling Leslie at 705-933-0361. Orders can be picked up at their Christmas Bazaar on December 6. The annual fundraiser began in 1965, using a shortbread recipe that came from the Scottish mother of the then Reverend John Neilson, sixty years later they continue to use same recipe and the same Christmas shapes.

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