Shane Peacock – Canadian Author

Several years ago, Judi and I were involved with the founding and organizing of a new festival in Port Hope. We wanted to create a festival theme that would be specific to Port Hope. We found that theme in the form of William Leonard Hunt or, as he became known worldwide, the Great Farini! Hunt, or Farini, was a larger than life character who roamed the world in the mid to late 1800’s. From tightrope walking over the Niagara Falls to inventing the Human Cannonball and beyond, Farini’s career was nothing short of spectacular! In order to find out more about Farini and his life and feats, we turned to Canadian author and Port Hope native, Shane Peacock! Shane’s book, “The Great Farini”, is the definitive reference book when it comes to William Leonard Hunt. The Farini Festival only ran for 3 years, but Shane’s input allowed us and the whole community to celebrate the extraordinary life of one of Port Hope’s favourite, but largely forgotten, sons! Over the years I have gotten to know and appreciate Shane’s many talents. His ability to “spin a yarn” is second to know one! The Farini biography could have been staid and stuffy, but that’s not Shane’s style, nor was it Farini’s! Instead the book was a wonderful tail of mystery, intrigue and adventure. Shane’s attention to accuracy and detail is amazing. Since writing the Farini book in 1995, Shane has taken on many other challenges. His play about another Port Hope native, Joseph Scriven who wrote the Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” played for two seasons at the 4^th Line Theatre in Millbrook. Other works have included several children’s novels. His newest are sure to become classis. They are about the “Boy Sherlock Holmes” and are rich in detail and mystery. Although I purchased the first two in the series for my Grandson, I couldn’t miss that opportunity of reading them first myself! They were both a great read and I can’t wait until Shane brings out the next book! It’s great to know that Canada breeds such amazing authors! 

Canadian Raptor Conservancy (Part Two)

After his introduction, James started the show off by bring out one of his birds. At one point he had one of the birds flying overhead and then encouraged it to land on someone’s head… MINE! This was a “close encounter” and it certainly was “PERSONAL”! 

Fortunately, I was wearing a baseball cap so no damage was done to my “delicate” scalp! As the show progresses James talked about each bird, where they came from, what they ate and what they mean to us. He even told us that he was trying to promote the Red-tailed Hawk as Canada’s National Bird! Over the coursed of two years, Judi and I have seen James or his wife, Shauna, demonstrate these magnificent Birds of Prey several times. Each time we have been impressed with James and Shauna’s love and knowledge.

Unfortunately, at least for the time being, the Canadian Raptor Conservancy Birds of Prey can only be seen at shows like the Plowing Match. I hope, some day, that James will open up a permanent location. In the meantime the Conservancy group will travel across Ontario and beyond, educating us all on how precious these Birds of Prey are and how they affect our Eco system and our world! And. Who knows, James’s campaign to have the Red-tailed Hawk become Canada’s National Bird may just succeed! “RED-TAILED HAWK FOREVER!” 

Canadian Raptor Conservancy (Part One)

How many times when you have driven along Highway 401 or one of the other Ontario highways have you seen large birds soaring overhead or sitting high atop a tree? It is definitely a common sight! What kind of birds are they? Eagles, hawks, vultures, falcons? As often as Judi and I have experienced seeing these magnificent creatures, we had never seen them “Up Close and Personal”! That is, until we visited Ontario’s festivals and events! Our first “close encounter” was at the 2007 International Plowing Match held near Smith’s Falls. As we passed through the gate, we immediately noticed a large sign telling us that the Canadian Raptor Conservancy was there and that they were having a “Birds of Prey” demonstration. Judi and I walked over to their show area and stood watching and waiting with other onlookers. Finally, the Conservancy Director, James Cowan, came into the roped off enclosure and started to tell us all about the Conservancy and its birds.

Artists’ Series – Michael Dumas (Part Two)

I guess the time I got to know Michael best was when we were promoting a fundraising program for Canada Parks. Buckhorn Publishing and Michael developed a print program for the “Friends” of Canadian Parks, through their association, the “Canadian Parks Partnership”.  Several of Michael’s art originals had been reproduced into “art print packages”. These packages were going to be sold Canada wide and featured in Park gift stores. The proceeds were going to be donated to the Park Partnership. Since I had been involved with the promotion of the program, I was asked to accompany Michael to Banff, Alberta for the “Grand Unveiling” by the then Minister of Natural Resources. Because of airline pricing rules, Michael and I had stay in Banff a few extra days (a real hardship!). During that time I really got to know Michael and how he functioned as an artist. I can remember taking our rental car on some of the areas back roads. While I was driving, Michael was observing and pointing out various animals and their habitat! He instinctively knew where to look and what to look for! Occasionally he would ask me to stop the car. He would jump out of the car with his camera and take many photos. A number of times he showed me animals tracks that were near invisible to me but obvious to him! The trip certainly made me realize that the creation of a wildlife image was much more then just sitting down to draw! For Michael it has always been much more than that! Observation is second nature to him and his attention to detail is a legendary!

Artists’ Series – Michael Dumas (Part One)

This is a series about Canadian artists I have known and, in some cases, have worked with.

Michael Dumas, to many, is known as an “artist’s artist”. The first time a saw Michael’s art was at the Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival (now the Buckhorn Festival of the Arts). Back then I didn’t know much about art or Canadian artists. Judi and I had been invited to visit the festival with friends who lived in Peterborough, and it was our first “ART FESTIVAL”! Little did I know then how involved we would become in the “World of Art”! But that is another story! At the time I was working in Toronto for a real estate relocation company. Judi and I went back to the festival in subsequent years and got to meet many of the participating artists along the way. One of the artists we got to know a little was Michael Dumas. Year’s later I contracted to work for Buckhorn Publishing, Michael’s publisher! It was there that I got to work with and know Michael much better. At first, I was very intimidated, but as I got to talk with Michael, I began to realize that he was not only a fabulous artist, but a wonderful and caring person. The number of organizations that have benefited from his generosity is immeasurable!

To be continued in Part Two...