GUELPH DAILY PHOTO: March 2007

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Sorry, no photos...

I've been "under the weather" for a couple of days as well as attending a funeral of a very close friend and so haven't been able to make any photos.

Hopefully with a weekend of rest and TLC, I will feel better at the beginning of the week.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Things are starting to melt!

Just south of where I live used to be a large jail farm many years ago and now there are ponds and little creeks and streams all part of the Eramosa River.

Today when I was there, the geese are busy making their nests and the water in the little stream here is running very swiftly but the larger pond at the back is still frozen.

Won't be long now till spring!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

In Flanders Fields the Poppies Blow

Do you know where the author of this famous poem was born?

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This is the birthplace of this famous Canadian--right here in Guelph in this lowly little cottage which is now a lovely museum

Children's Department at Chapters Book Store

I was in Chapters Book Store and saw this gentleman engrossed in what he was reading. The children had their parent with them but this man was all alone sitting on the wee chair.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Historical Distillery Building

I posted here about the W.C.Woods company that builds freezers and refrigerators here in Guelph. I took a picture of this plaque that is mounted on the wall on the oldest part of the factory which is the smaller building in the photo in the link.

Here's a photo of the end wall of the original building and is now the reception area plus other offices of the large company.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Outside of Guelph..

BIG OLD FARMHOUSE

I was driving up a road somewhere just outside of Guelph and I was attracted to this lovely huge farmhouse. When I see a house this old I wonder what stories the walls can tell. I wonder how many little children were raised in this house and how many little babies were born within it's walls.

It was a similar but a little smaller farmhouse that my grandfather died many years ago and his funeral was held in the parlour. I started to wonder if this house had seen some of its members pass on and were the funerals held in the "parlour"?

As I stood beside my car, my eyes wandered to the brown object to the right of the house in the driveway and I wondered what it was. So I zoomed in with my camera and here's what I saw.

CARVING FROM AN OLD TREE

Do you stand and dream like I did when I viewed this very old farmhouse? I suddenly realized that I was blocking traffic and that I should get back into my car!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

City Hall

GUELPH CITY HALL 1856

I was interested in seeing the old sculptures over the doors and windows. This is just one example.

This fine example of classical architecture was begun in 1856 following the incorporation of Guelph as a town. It was designed by William Thomas, architect of St. Lawrence Hall, Toronto, and other important buildings throughout the province and was completed in 1857.

Constructed of Guelph stone, it contained a market house, offices and an assembly hall in which many notable persons were entertained, including the Hon. John A. Macdonald, later Canada's first prime minister.

Alterations to the building were made in 1870, and a new hall was added in 1875.

Except for the clock tower which was removed in 1961, the front portion of the structure retains its original appearance.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Wellington County Court House

BEHIND THE COURTHOUSE

Wellington County Court House

In 1837 the provincial legislature established the provisional District of Wellington and authorized the erection of a court house and jail at Guelph.

Construction of the two structures, designed by the noted Toronto architect Thomas Young, commenced under the supervision of a committee of local magistrates.

Built by William Allan of Guelph, the limestone court house is one of the few structures in Ontario executed in the castellated style reminiscent of medieval fortifications.

It was erected in 1842-44 and has been expanded many times--each addition complementing the design of the original structure. An important judicial and administrative complex, the court house continues to serve this County and in 1980-81 was enlarged and extensively renovated for use as the Wellington County Administration Centre.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Crossing the Speed River

Pedestrian Bridge across the Speed River

When I posted this photo of graffiti, it was the under side of this lovely old bridge.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Let's go to church!

Photo is clickable to larger...

St. George's Anglican Church

I have attended many concerts and special events in the wonderful auditorium of this old church. The pipe organ is magnificent.

From the church website:

The building is an undisputed masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Here you will find beautiful stained glass windows and hear the sounds of both our magnificent Casavant pipe organ and our 36-bell carillon.

But more importantly, there are the people who worship here, who maintain the welcome to this church, and who try to serve God in their everyday lives. It is they who welcome you to this website, and hope that you, whether as tourist, pilgrim or worshipper, will be able physically to visit our church.

I just thought that this wonderful opera singer, Jerome Hines, singing two hymns, goes along with our picture today.

Map

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Top O' The Mornin' To Ye!

Never saw a green carnation before but thought it would be nice for St. Patrick's Day!

Hope you've all had a great day!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Graffiti

Speed River Pedestrian Bridge

This is under the lovely concrete bridge that spans the Speed River. It's covered in graffiti and this actually bothers me a lot.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

I'd like to go for a ride!

All photos are clickable to larger

Today, I yearned to go for a ride in this big vehicle. My brother-in-law got his "newish" vehicle and was driving it up to North Bay, Ontario and he stopped off for me to see it.

I thought that the grill was interesting...almost like a piece of art! Do you like it?

This vehicle is not old at all and as you can see it only has just over 83,000 km on it. That's a very low mileage for these vehicles.

Well, maybe another day, I'll get to ride in it.

Have you ever felt as if you'd like to ride in one of these large tractor trailers? I used to teach bus driving but this is a vehicle I wouldn't mind travelling in.

Behind the Courthouse

Quiet Place Behind the Courthouse

I never get tired of going behind the Guelph Courthouse and taking a nice quite walk. It's lovely with it's old buildings.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Sign of Spring!

Last evening I tried and tried to post in here but each time I tried, everything froze up.

I was at the supermarket and I was so fed up with all the snow we've been having. So I bought myself a little primrose!

Now, I know that spring won't be long till it arrives!

What signs of spring have you seen where you are?

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Guelph Armory

This is such a beautiful building. It's situated very close to the City Hall and to the Guelph Police Headquarters on Wyndham Street South.

It reminds me of a castle in some ways.

Map

Majestic St. George's Anglican Church

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This photo of St. George's Church is taken from the back of the building from atop a pedestrian bridge across the Speed River.

Henry Langley 1836-1907

One of the most prolific architects in 19th-centruy Ontario. Langley was born in Toronto. In 1862, following his apprenticeship as an architect, he formed a partnership with Thomas Gundry. Langley undertook commissions for residential, commercial and public structures, but soon began to specialize in the design of ecclesiastical buildings. Working with the firm known initially as Langley, Langley and Burke from 1872 until his retirement, he developed an extensive practice, fashioning some 70 churches throughout the province and altering or enlarging many more.

St. George's Anglican Church, completed in 1873, is representative of his masterly High Victorian Gothic designs. Well regarded by his peers, Langley figured prominently in the development of the architectural profession in Ontario, training many architects who later gained renown.

The Main Door of the Church

The Steeple

Map

Friday, March 9, 2007

Optical Illusion?

Each time I sit on Woolwich Street waiting for the traffic light to turn green for driving north on this street, I sit beside this scene and I always find it humorous to see Hakim Optical looking like a large church building.

But it's sort of an optical illusion as First Baptist Church is situated behind it. Last evening just before sunset, I had my camera with me as I sat at that red light (it seems to be always red when I hit it!).

Map

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Office Space For Rent!

The Wellington Building was originally constructed as a hotel in 1877.

This was quite a sophisticated designing effort by the architect as the triangular site presented special difficulties.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

From very old to very modern

At the corner of Cross St. and Arthur St. S. stands a very old building that, up until a few years ago, housed in recent years, Len's Mill Store. But now, this old building has been renovated and now houses some pretty nice "loft-style" condos.

Map

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Want to buy a freezer or fridge?

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Located on the banks of the Speed River, stands the huge W.C.Woods freezer plant.

Guelph is proud to have as one of its largest companies, a freezer company which is probably the largest manufacturer of freezers in Canada and maybe North America.

W. C. Wood Company is a family owned business with both second and third generation members of the family active in the Company.

Map

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Quite a busy intersection of sorts...

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Such a cold and icy scene

The main railway line through Guelph runs above one of our busy roads which runs above the roaring Speed River as it tumbles down a slope where it continues it's flow southward.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Where the Guelph Storm plays..

...and other Entertainment venues...

Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre

The arena was built in 2000 for $21,000,000. This arena replaced the Memorial Gardens as the home of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. The arena was built on the site of the old Eaton's store in downtown Guelph.

Map

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Thursday, March 1, 2007

Daily Photo Theme Day - 'Men At Work'

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Men at Work Re-Shingling the Roof of a House

The Daily City blogs are having a "theme day" today and the theme is "Men at Work". I captured this photo as the fellows were putting my new roof on my house! They certainly did a good job and I'd highly recommend them!

This is one of the young fellows from Carson Roofing. which is a family owned business here in Guelph and very well thought of in both their workmanship and the job done!

Another photo of this young man on this very cold day!

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
	Yes
	No
	Who was St. Patrick?

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Do you mind seeing graffiti on public buildings and walls, etc.?
	Yes, I do mind.
	Doesn't bother me.
	Some can be quite beautiful but then I think that this isn't their property to ruin.

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