Newsletter Vol1(9)

The Giant's Rib

devoted to increasing awareness and protection of

the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve

Stan Nowak, Editor basil.cottage@sympatico.ca

October 2007 Volume 1, Issue 9

Giant’s Rib Discovery Centre Board of Directors - 2007

Dr. Michael Brand, John Bryden, Michael Cox, Leo Deloyde, Joseph Hollick,

George Koblyk, Dr. John MacRae, John Mills, Robert Morrow, Stan Nowak

Gordon Perrault, Sandra Root, Sue Vajoczki

Executive Director Board Advisors

Kenneth Hall Josephine Meeker Ben Vanderbrug

The Giant’s Rib presents:

The Bruce Duncan Memorial Lecture Series

The Giant’s Rib Discovery Centre proudly announces the inaugural Bruce Duncan Memorial Lecture Series, named in honour of the former General Manager of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, who died tragically last fall. This series is dedicated to promoting the Niagara Escarpment as an internationally-recognized World Biosphere Reserve, as well as being a truly unique topographic feature of our natural and cultural heritage.

This Month: October 21, 2007

The Cultural Devel0pment of the Escarpment Edge from Mount Albion to Ancaster

We all recognize the Niagara Escarpment as the most outstanding physical feature of our area. All too often we take its grandeur and relevance for granted. Seldom do we think of it as an economic engine that has generated human activity and improvements to our society. In the slide illustrated talk entitled, "The Cultural Development of the Escarpment Edge from Mt. Albion to Ancaster", Geographer/Historian, Robert Williamson will illustrate the variety of human activities found along the escarpment and how they have changed over time.

Commander Robert Williamson, BA, B Ed, CD* received an Honours Degree in Geography from McMaster University in 1962. He is a retired Secondary School Principal and former Commanding Officer of Hamilton’s Naval Reserve, HMCS Star. During his appointment his ship was awarded the most improved Naval Division in Canada.

Presently he is Past Chairman of the Hamilton Mountain Heritage Society and Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Hamilton Division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. He is a member of the Hamilton Historical Board and the Board of Education Archives. A major contributor to local history, he has written, co-authored or been a contributing author to 13 heritage books and prepared 40 different slide-illustrated historical talks. As a member of the Board of Education’s Speaker’s Bureau, he has made over 800 guest appearances locally and internationally to speak about Canadian heritage. As a guide he has conducted many local heritage walking and bus tours and prepared the wording for seven City of Hamilton heritage plaques.

For his contribution to the research and promotion of Canadian history as well as volunteer service to his community, Bob Williamson has received the following awards:

· Three Wentworth Heritage Association Citations

· The Board of Education Outstanding Achievement Certificate

· The Sertoma Club’s – Laura Secord Award

· The 2006 City of Hamilton V.I.P. Award

· Province of Ontario Senior Achievement Award for 2006

· The Naval Officers of Canada Association Silver Medallion for Exceptional

Service to Canada

· The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Long Service Medal

· CD* Canadian Forces Decoration for 30 years of military service to Canada

· The Government of Canada’s 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal

· The Governor General’s – Caring Canadian Award

* CD Canadian Forces Decoration and clasp for almost 30 years of service to the Canadian Naval Reserve

Next Month: November 18, 2007

The Rocks Beneath My Feet Sue Vajoczki

All presentations will be held at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre, Dundas Valley Conservation Area, 650 Governor’s Road, Dundas. Park entrance fee is a $2.00 per person, or a maximum $5.00 per car. There is no admission fee for children under 12.

All presentations will be held Sunday afternoons of the noted date starting at 2:00 p.m. There is no charge for the lectures, but donations are welcome and appreciated.

For further information: Kenneth Hall (kenjoan75@sympatico.ca), Stan Nowak (basil.cottage@sympatico.ca).

Everyone is welcome - we look forward to seeing you !!

The Giants Rib presents:

Art and Photography of the Heritage of the Niagara Escarpment

Celebrating ‘the art’ of the natural and cultural heritage of the Niagara Escarpment at the Dundas Valley Escarpment Centre featuring a new local artist every month

Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This Month’s Artist:

Barbara Sutherland-Rusnak "Capturing the Escarpment"

Barbara Sutherland has been studying art and painting since the 1970’s. Barbara has had the privilege to expand her art experience under the guidance of many excellent mentors, including Americo Del Col, Jack Reid, Frank Webb, Zoltan Szabo, Christopher Shink, Brigitte Schreyer and Ken MacFarlane. Equally comfortable working in acrylic or watercolour, Barbara is inspired by the world of nature, particularly along the Niagara Escarpment. She also enjoys discovering the variety of fossils embedded in the rocks of the escarpment and has developed an art form to capture the millions of years in stories that these fossils tell.

Join the Friends of the Giant’s Rib

Your assistance would be welcome in helping the Giant’s Rib Discovery Centre to increase awareness and protection of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve; or you may wish only to be kept informed of upcoming GRDC activities and events. We hope to hear from you.

For more information, please contact:

Ken Hall 905-627-1320

Gord Perrault 905-648-8041