Mondays at the Manor - Confederation and the farm

Later this week, our nation will be celebrating Canada Day. The forming of a new nation brought many changes in the lives of the people.  But did it have an effect of rural farmers such as the Backus family?

Prior to 1867, most farmers received little help from either the provincial or federal governments. Since farms like the Backus’ raised a variety of animals, and grew many different types of grains and vegetables, farming families seldom went hungry. Government assistance, such as what we see now, were not existent. A farm would be responsible for getting products to market the best way that they could.  

After July 1, 1867, the new Federal government worked to establish more railway and a better system of transportation for both people and goods. This allowed farmers to have a new and better way of transporting more products to market. A larger market meant more income and the ability to purchase more farmland and increase the farm size. 

------------------------------------------------------

Backus-Page House Museum is now open, and we will be open on Canada Day.  You can come out and help support our Museum while joining us for a traditional picnic. We will have picnic tables decorated for family groups to rent for $10.00, and tours of our museum, including our two new exhibits for $5.00 per person. Our trails will also be open, as will our wetlands for family bird watching.

 To keep with Provincial requirements for physical distancing, tickets for picnic tables and tours will pre-purchased online.  Follow this link to make your purchase: http://backuspagehouse.ca/event/canada-day-pre-book-and-prepay/

 

 

 

Saturday Sighting

Hi everyone!

I hope this blog post finds you well!  This week's nugget of nature is the Poppy!  We have beautiful red Poppies blooming in large quantities in the kitchen garden at the Backus-Page House Museum.  Poppies are one of my favourites and seeing them at one of my favourite places each year fills my soul :)

Five fun facts about Poppies:

• Most Poppies are found in the Northern Hemisphere. 
• The Poppy has a milky sap. 
• Poppy seeds are used for both narcotic and nonnarcotic purposes. 
• There are a particularly rich number of Poppy varieties in California. 
• Oriental Poppies are the easiest to grow! 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay safe and take care!

Catie Welch

Foodie Friday - Yorkshire Pudding

From a Tyrconnell Heritage Society book called 
12 Days of Christmas

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

Recipe belonging to Marion (Davy) Foreman submitted by her daughter Laurine Foreman and granddaughter Angela (Foreman) Bobier.

1 cup flour

salt

½ cup milk

½ cup water

2 eggs

Mix all ingredients at room temperature.  Large cast iron frying pan heated with beef drippings to cover bottom.  Pour room temperature mixture in.  15 minutes in over at 450 degrees.  Then drop to 325 degrees until browned.  

-----------------------------------------------

You may not know that all our events, admission and programming income goes into maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and funding future events.  If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/tyrconnell-heritage-society/

Canada Day Tickets Available Now

Due to the restrictions of COVID-19 we have to limit the number of people we have on the grounds and in the museum for Canada Day. 

Tickets to reserve your decorated picnic table with activities for 1 hour $10 and tickets for 30 minute museum tours $5/person are now available at Eventbrite. 

Bring your own picnic.  We will be selling drinks, small bags of chips, old fashioned candy, and a selection of items from our gift shop using contactless payment.  There will also be a twonie fundraiser to assist the museum with general operations while we were closed to the public. 

519-762-3072  info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Reopening for Pre-Booked Museum Tours

On June 27, 2020 we will reopen Backus-Page House Museum for tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays Noon to 4pm.  

We ask that you pre-schedule and prepay for your tour through our Square Appointment App  If you arrive without an appointment, we cannot guarantee you will have a tour as we are restricted to 5 people per tour.

Admission will be $5/person for all ages.  

Your name, address, phone or email will be requested for possible contact tracing of COVID-19.

We ask that you wash your hands in our washrooms before you enter the Carriage House office to check in for your tour.  The gift shop will be open and contactless payment will be available.  Hand sanitizer will be available when entering and exiting.    

At this time we cannot allow visitors access to historical records for research or to sit on or touch items while on tour inside the museum.  Tours will be with an audio guide on your smartphone or on a tablet we loan you.  

All changes are for the health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers due to COVID-19.  

Download our audio guides of the grounds and interior HERE.

Mondays at the Manor - Preparation to open the Museum

This week's "Mondays at the Manor" will be more of an update as we are all working to get our House ready to receive guests.  Our staff and volunteers have spent, as of this writing, 2 days cleaning and prepping our exhibit for this year, and have 2 to 3 more days coming up. Here is a set of photos and some information on the exciting things what are being prepared for our 2020 year. (Be sure to scroll down past the first set of photos)

IT’S  TIME !!!

On Tuesday, June 9^th, we at the Backus-Page House Museum heard the news that our Province had given permission to open for the 2020 season.  After some quick phone calls and emails, Angela and a crew of volunteers sprang into action.

Volunteers of all ages came out on Thursday to clean our House from top to bottom. We swept cobwebs, cleaned rooms, aired linen and beat the rugs.  Our 2019 exhibit was put away into storage, and the room cleaned in preparation for our 2020 exhibit. On Friday, the exhibit began to take shape, and organization was planned to have it ready.

This is an exciting time for us. We will be reopening on Saturday, June 27^th from noon to 4.00 pm. Our Museum will be open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 4.00 pm.

The Museum will be incorporating procedures to keep everyone safe while Covid-19 is still active. In order to visit, reservations will need to be purchased in advance.

We are also working to prep our new exhibit which will focus on storing food. This was planning well in advance of our current need to stock up and store extra food during our pandemic days. It does seem to be appropriate since many of us have bought extra food to store in case we are need to quarantine.

There will also be a small exhibit in our small bedroom. Be sure to take a look. 

There is quite a bit that goes into planning and set up museum exhibits. When you visit, you'll see the the panels that were researched and full of interesting bits of information. There will also be an assortment of artifacts to see. Perhaps it's time to wet your appetite with some behind the scenes photos.

We are looking forward to having you all come out and visit and support our Museum.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 All our events, admission and programming income is used for maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and staff funding.  If you are able to sponsor one of the following categories or make a charitable donation of any amount your support is essential.   

One Month of Operations $3000         One Week of Operations $750       One Day of Operations $100        Can we count on your contribution?

 You can also contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps.

 

Saturday Sighting

Hi everyone!

I hope this blog post finds you well!  This week's nugget of nature is the Sweet Rocket flowers (also called Dame's rocket) that we see blooming in the forest and ditches around the museum grounds and in the park.  I always love seeing these each year!

Five fun facts about Sweet Rocket:

• The flowers are strongly fragrant, more so in the evenings! 
• It's 4-petal flowers are often mistaken for the 5-petal phlox flowers. 
• They are native to Asia and Europe. 
• It is part of the mustard family. 
• If picked before the plant flowers, the leaves can be eaten in salads! 

Have a great weekend everyone! Stay safe and take care!

Catie Welch

Foodie Friday - Spooke Bread

From a Tyrconnell Heritage Society book called 
12 Days of Christmas

SPOOKE BREAD

Recipe submitted by Barbara Backus-Zernicke from handwritten cookbooks belonging to her grandmother, Eliza Potticery Backus, a grade school teacher in Tyrconnell and wife of Andrew Storey Backus.

To make the “spooke” take 3 pts. unsalted potato water, add 1 cup white sugar, dissolve yeast cake in 1 cup luke-warm water, and after it is thoroughly dissolved, let settle and pour of liquor into the potato water.  Let stand in a warm place until it foams and it is ready for use to make the bread:

At noon on the day previous to baking, take the water in which the potatoes were boiled (unsalted) and add the “spooke”.  Let this set in a warm place until evening.  Pour half of this into a glass fruit jar (taking care not to fill too full) add 1 cup white sugar, screw on the cap and keep in cool place for your next baking.  Take the remaining half, add enough luke-warm water to make the amount of bread required ( 2 or 3 potatoes mashed fine will improve the bread) salt to taste and mix hard with flour.  In the morning mold into loaves and when light, bake 1 hour in a moderate oven.  

-----------------------------------------------

You may not know that all our events, admission and programming income goes into maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and funding future events.  If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/tyrconnell-heritage-society/

Book Review of The Storey of Tyrconnell Heritage Society

The Story of Tyrconnell Heritage Society

Celebrating 25 years

Written by Delany Leitch

Foreward by Angela Foreman-Bobier

In 2019, the Tyrconnell Heritage Society reached their golden anniversary, 25 years. Like many worthwhile things, it was formed out of controversy.  This little account, chock full of photos, influencing parties and interesting historical details, outlines the THS story from 1993 to 2019.

Extensive research into society documentation is captured in a cohesive and logical manner and reveals just what those who sought to preserve and promote the Backus-Page House as well as the area’s historical value.

It is a little book, and like many small packages, is full of ‘good things.’  For one, the dedication and tenacity of a handful of people is clearly denoted, giving us courage and inspiration that perhaps we, too, can make a positive difference in our world.  For another, the many and creative ideas listed of activities of the society and in the programs for area adults and children get our own creative juices flowing.  I found myself saying, “That’s a great idea!” More than once.  A historical account may promise only dry chronology, but this book manages to hold one’s interest with its inclusion of personalities, squabbles and photos and captions where we might see ourselves and understand just how things were and how things are today.  It is amazing how much happens -and has happened- over the years at a site such as the Backus-Page House Museum. 

The impact of the THS lives on, not only in the apple trees which bring forth their bounty each year or the museum tours which boast artifacts rarely encountered these days, but in the spirit of community shared by the host of volunteers and supporters of the society. The society has gone modern with websites, Facebook notifications and blogs but if you are like me, I also appreciate having something in my hand which I can return to again and again.  Why not order a copy for yourself, come out to a museum picnic table, pour yourself some iced tea and have a good read?  

Available $13.00 for pick up by calling 519-762-3072 or email info@backuspagehouse.ca 

Review by Nancy Carey on behalf of Tyrconnell Heritage Society

Mondays at the Manor - Medical care on the Backus Farm

Medical care in the 19^th Century was still a growing science. While there were doctors in some areas, many common ailments were treated at home. While there were many treatments were listed in the back section of recipe books, most of the remedies were passed from mother to daughter. 

Most of the treatments used in Ontario were originally used by the Aboriginal people of the area. The early settlers learned from them how to use the local herbs. Their remedies were very effective (except for the epidemic diseases brought by the Europeans) and the Shaman and “wise women” were very willing to teach the new families their ways.

Arriving in what was to become Ontario, Loyalists brought army surgeons with them as well as civilian physicians. These men usually had great difficulty making a living because the population was small, the fees low and the prestige of the medical profession very shaky. They often held other jobs, such as operating a farm or a store. In 1867, the Canadian Medical Association was created and enabled even the doctors in rural areas to learn the latest techniques.  However. by the time of the Civil War, the majority of physicians had learned their trade as apprentices to older doctors and had extensive experience using traditional plant medicines. By 1869, and as a result of the American Civil War, knowledge of medical care increased and doctors were taught about antibiotics and more intensive surgeries. .

The Backus-House Museum volunteers have established and maintained a small house garden. In our garden is a selection of herbs, many of which Mary Jane Backus would have used to care for illness in the family.

Allium - both onions and garlic, were important in the treatment of serious wounds, skin infections and insect bites. Because of the antibacterial properties, these plant treatments were used in World War I.

Bee Balm - was considered a treatment for colic, upset stomach, to induce sweating, and the leaves were made into a poultice and applied to the head for headaches.

Chamomile - the flowers of which were, and still are, used for upset stomach and as a sleep aid. In Peter Rabbit, Peter’s mother gave him chamomile tea.

Lavender - was best known as a flavoring agent and we know it today as a relaxing fragrance to help children and adults sleep better.

Peppermint - has been used as an appetite stimulant, for upset stomach, vomiting and other digestive problems since the time of the ancient Greeks.

Poppy - was one of the most important pain relievers for many centuries. Opium and morphine were extracted from the poppy resin and every doctor carried it in either powder or tincture form. Poppy seeds were also cooked, ground, and mixed with sugar and cardamom seeds to treat diarrhea, coughs, and asthma.

Thyme – is highly antiseptic and a good wound herb, often applied as a decoction (strong tea) or tincture in alcohol. Uses included: nervous disorders, flu, coughing, expectorant, blood purifier and easing the pain of toothaches. 

 

Poppies in the garden (June 2020)

Please keep in mind that these are just examples of treatments that have been used through history. It is NOT intended to be suggested treatments. Any of these should, and must be, used under advice of a 21^st century health care professional.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  

All our events, admission and programming income is used for maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and staff funding.  If you are able to sponsor one of the following categories or make a charitable donation of any amount your support is essential.   

One Month of Operations $3000         One Week of Operations $750       One Day of Operations $100        

Can we count on your contribution?

If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps.

Saturday Sighting

Hi everyone!

I hope this blog post finds you healthy and well!  This week's nugget of nature is the Iris plants that are blooming in the garden along the fence at the front of the museum.  I also have Iris plants in my garden at home and they are so pretty when they bloom!

Five fun facts about the Iris:

• The Iris is named about the Greek goddess.  She rode rainbows and like a rainbow, the Iris comes in many different colours. 
• There are approximately 300 species of Iris! 
• The Iris can be "bearded" or "beardless."  The "bearded" Iris has soft hairs along the centre of its hanging petals and in the "beardless" Iris the soft hair form a ridge or comb. 
• Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to Irises.
• The Iris is the symbol of Florence, Italy! 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Stay safe and take care :)

Catie Welch

Foodie Friday - Lamb Roast

From a Tyrconnell Heritage Society book called 
12 Days of Christmas

LAMB ROAST

Recipe submitted by Betty Ann Bobier, passed on to her by Clarence Bobier, grandson of settler Joshua Bobier who arrived in the Tyrconnell area in 1869. 

Leg of lamb

Lard

Salt pork or bacon

Pepper

Cloves

Currant or Mint Jelly

Take a leg of lamb and lard it well with strips of (salt pork) bacon in deep slits in the meat which has been previously rolled in pepper and cloves.  Bake two hours or according to the size of roast, basting frequently while in oven.  About a hour before serving, spread over it currant or mint jelly.  Return to oven and let it brown.  Bake between 325 and 350. 

Please note: No measurements came with this written recipe.

-----------------------------------------------

You may not know that all our events, admission and programming income goes into maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and funding future events.  If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/tyrconnell-heritage-society/

Mondays at the Manor - The Importance of the Introduction

         Rules, rules, rules!  Until the 1960s and 1970s, most people’s lives followed rules. Rules of who you can socialize with, what job or career you can have, and often even what food you can eat.  Many of the rules, or in some cases, laws, were written down, but many of them were informal or traditional.

         The informal, traditional rules, we learned from our family. We were also taught in school. Some of the previous “Monday at the Manor” blogs focused on a variety of social situations. One of the first rules which must be followed was that of the Introduction.  In the 1850s, even the Backus family was respectful of social rank, and how to introduce one person to another was dictated by a set of rules. Many of us in the 21^st century where are of a “certain age” were taught in primary school the correct way to introduce our friends to our parents, even though formal social rank was not a consideration for most people in the mid 20^th century.

         As with most of the rules of the mid to late Victorian era, there were books which include rules about introductions. To quote from Routledge’s Manual of Etiquette, written in 1879:

• To introduce persons who are mutually unknown is to undertake a serious responsibility, and to certify to each the respectability of the other.
•  Always introduce the gentleman to the lady never the lady to the gentleman. The chivalry of etiquette assumes that the lady is invariably the superior in right of her sex, and that the gentleman is honoured in the introduction. This rule is to be observed even when the social rank of the gentleman is higher than that of the lady.
• Where the sexes are the same, always present the inferior to the superior. Never present a gentleman to a lady without first asking her permission to do so.
• When introduced, persons limit their recognition of each other to a bow. On the Continent, ladies never shake hands with gentlemen unless under circumstances of great intimacy.

Mr. Routledge continues to explain the rules concerning people of society ranks and give many, many examples in his book. 

          In the 21^st. century, introductions can still play an important role, especially in a business/professional situation. Many large corporations hire consultants to give etiquette classes and these include how to make introductions.  Today’s requirements or a great deal simpler for example:

·                      First, state the name of the person being introduced to. This is the ‘higher-ranking’ person.

·                     Second, say “I would like to introduce” or, “please meet” or, “this is,” etc.

·                     Third, state the name of the person being introduced. This is the ‘lower-ranking’ person.

·                      Finally, offer some details about each, as appropriate.

There may also be times when it is necessary to introduce yourself to a business acquaintance or in a group meeting. To make it easy to remember, here is a example from a modern movie:

A greeting – Hello.

Your name – My name is Inigo Montoya.

Your reason for meeting – You killed my father.

Your expected outcome – Prepare to die!

--------------------------------------------------------

All our events, admission and programming income is used for maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and fun We are reaching out to private foundations and applying for government grants, but those funds tend to be project specific and not to be used for general operations.  If you are able to sponsor one of the following categories or make a charitable donation of any amount your support is essential right now. 
One Month of Operations $3000         One Week of Operations $750       One Day of Operations $100        

Can we count on your contribution?

If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps.

Saturday Sighting

Hello everyone!  I hope this post finds you well :)  I noticed this week that the lilac trees were blooming and smelling very good.  So this week's nugget from nature is the lilac!

Five fun facts about lilacs:

• Lilacs are a member of the olive family.
• Lilacs attract butterflies! 
• Lilacs are mentioned in a poem by Walt Whitman that he wrote when Abraham Lincoln died. 
• They symbolize the joy of youth supposedly.
• They are native to southern Europe. 

Stay safe and take care everyone!

Catie Welch

Foodie Friday - Apple Sauce Cake

From a Tyrconnell Heritage Society book called 
12 Days of Christmas

APPLE SAUCE CAKE

Recipe given to Stella (Smith) Hathaway by Mary (Marshman) Rowe.  Stella Hathaway is the grandmother of Janice Ellis, great grandmother of Angela Bobier.  Mary Rowe is the grandmother of Mike Rowe.

1 ½ cups applesauce

1 teaspoon soda

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup raisins

½ cup butter

2 cups flour

spices to taste

Please note: 1 teaspoon of soda refers to baking soda.  No instructions came with this written recipe.

-----------------------------------------------

You may not know that all our events, admission and programming income goes into maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and funding future events.  If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps http://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/tyrconnell-heritage-society/

A Day In the Life by Lloyd R. Monteith Book Review

Be prepared to  laugh out loud one minute and be taken pensively down memory lane the next in this delightful, homey and creative collection of 147 poems by writer-artist Lloyd R. Monteith.   In ‘A Day In the Life’ everyday events exhilarate (Golden Endings, 2015-page 118), ruins are restored (Trike, 2012 - page 33), turtles and turtle doves titillate (Made It, 2018 - page 52 and Splat!, 2017 - page 78), food flaunts (Cookies, 2012 - page 3 and Recipe, 2012 - page 115) history holds us (Never Empty, 2013- page 15.)

Not a poetry buff? Then, revel in the photography and marvel at the artistry accompanying each submission, both truly revealing this book was a labour of love. Never have I seen a recipe composed in such a lyrical and easy-to-follow format. It seems at every turn of the page a satisfying surprise is revealed. 

This collection is one man’s view of his corner of the world, and yet somehow the reader is carefully drawn in to see what the writer sees, hear what he hears and feel what he feels. Some poems look back. Others look forward. Some just allow the reader to revel in the ‘now.’

If I must pick a favourite it must be Golden Endings with its accompanying painting perfectly in sync. Sunsets, the topic of this poem, happen every day and once immersed in this collection I found myself hoping for another poem to read tomorrow and every day. To quote the writer in this particular submission:
“I should have learned by now
There can and will be more
The one to come tomorrow
Has never been before.”

A Day In The Life $20.00 CDN and many other books are available for purchase by contacting the museum info@backuspagehouse.ca  519-762-3072 to arrange pick up.  To have it shipped, order online at https://squareup.com/store/backuspagehouse   

Book review by Nancy Carey on behalf of the Backus-Page House Museum.

Mondays at the Manor - The Dance and Social Contact

As young ladies looking to marry, and young men looking for a wife, the young people in the Backus family took advantage of a variety of social situation. A dance was one of the most available means to mingle with others of their age.

As with most activates, there were rules governing behaviour at these dances. The rules covered when to dance, who to dance with, and even how loud to speak.

Be very careful how you refuse to dance with a gentleman. Be careful that you do not engage yourself twice for the same quadrille.

Let your manner in a ball room be quiet. It looks very badly to see a lady endeavoring to attract attention by her boisterous manner, loud talking, or over-active dancing.

At the end of each dance, your partner will offer his arm, and conduct you to a seat; then bow, and release him from further attendance.

When invited to dance, hand your ball card to the gentleman, who will put his name in one of the vacant places.

If you are accompanied by a gentleman, besides your father or brother, remember he has the right to the first dance, and also will expect to take you in to supper.

Never leave the ball room, for any such purpose, alone, as there are always gentlemen near and round the door, and it looks very badly to see a lady, unattended, going through a crowd of gentlemen.

It is best at a ball, to dance only every other dance, as over-fatigue, and probably a flushed face, will follow too much dancing.  

Never allow your partner, though he may be your most intimate friend, to converse in a low tone, or in any way assume a confidential air at a ball.
No young lady should go to a ball, without the protection of a married lady, or an elderly gentleman.

The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness

       A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society

By Florence Hartley, published in 1854

These were just a few of the rules that young ladies and gentlemen were required to know and follow. These rules were taught along with the dance steps that allowed for proper and acceptable behaviour and to avoid embarrassment.

There were more discreet ways of communication in social places. Most ladies carried a hand fan, and the fan became a useful object to convey feelings.  Fans have been in use since the days of ancient Rome, but became popular during the late eighteenth century, and in 1797. London fan maker Charles Badini, published “Fanology or Ladies Conversation Fan” and gave a copy with each fan purchased. This idea became so popular, that the stylish ladies of the city adopted this set of signals. What began as a sales gimmick became a part of the culture and continued into the end of the nineteenth century.

The next time you get an opportunity, here is a helpful guide to some of the most common fan signals:

·         Yes:    Touch your right cheek with your fan and leave it there.

·         No:    Touch your left cheek with your fan and leave it there.

·         I’m married:    Fan yourself slowly.

·         I’m engaged:    Fan yourself quickly.

·         I desire to be acquainted with you:    Place the fan in your left hand in front of your face.

·         I hate you:    Draw the fan through your hand.

·         I am sorry:    Draw the fan across your eyes.

·         Go away:    Hold the fan over your left ear.

Next time you to go a dance, or go dancing, keep all of this in mind, and enjoy living in the 21^st century!

--------------------------------------------------------

All our events, admission and programming income is used for maintaining our heritage buildings, daily operating expenses like utilities, and fun We are reaching out to private foundations and applying for government grants, but those funds tend to be project specific and not to be used for general operations.  If you are able to sponsor one of the following categories or make a charitable donation of any amount your support is essential right now.   
One Month of Operations $3000         One Week of Operations $750       One Day of Operations $100        

Can we count on your contribution?

If you are able to contribute financially by purchasing a Tyrconnell Heritage Society Membership or making a donation in any amount your support would be greatly appreciated.  Memberships - Individual $30; Couple $35; Family $40; Organization $45; Business $75; Individual Lifetime $250  Here is the link to our page at CanadaHelps.