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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 26, 2008 - 3 PHOTOS BY RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER United in fun MEETING THE CHALLENGE: The Winston Park Challenge for the United Way of Oakville (UWO) saw 18 corporate teams competing in a number of fun challenges including a tug of war (top) between the Oakville Fire Department and Halton Regional Police -- the police won. A firefighter challenge included competitors (right) Genevieve Walkden, of Integra Capital and (left) Heather Gatt, of Laser Networks. The Moen Flo Riders, from Moen, won the Spirit Award (above) and the Mattamy North Oakvillians, were the overall winners. The event aimed to raise awareness of the $3.4 million the UWO hopes to raise in its 2008 campaign. Step through an open door to Oakville's heritage this weekend The first Doors Open Oakville, happening on Sept. 27-28, will see 20 heritage sites open their doors for free to the public to give tours, demonstrations and glimpses behind the scenes. Historical, arts and cultural buildings will be throwing open their doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to welcome all. Step aboard a 1920s racing schooner, discover the inner chamber of a Masonic Temple, climb a bell tower and visit a hidden green roof. The Doors Open concept had its beginnings in France in 1984. From there it grew to 'European Heritage Days' in 11 countries. Today more than 40 countries, worldwide, have initiated the program. Each year in Ontario, hundreds of historic buildings, natural spaces and heritage gardens -- some of "The idea is that for one weekend, people from all different cultural and heritage institutions open their doors to the public and give them a chance to see something they don't normally see." Bill Nesbitt, Oakville Museum supervisor which are rarely accessible to the public -- open for free as part of Doors Open. Many of the participating sites in Oakville will offer special activities such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations. The guiding principle is to educate and inform the community about the importance of architectural, cultural and natural heritage sites. The Doors Open Oakville sites include: Amos Biggar House/The Cork House; Schooner the Anitra docked at the Oakville Lighthouse; George K. Chisholm House/Canadian Sound; The Granary; Merrick Thomas House; Oakville's First Post Office; Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens; Oakville Historical Society Archival Collection and Libraries; Oakville Lighthouse; Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate; Canadian Golf Hall of Fame; Oakville Armoury; Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts; St. Jude's Anglican Church; St. Jude's Cemetery; Sovereign House; Masonic Temple; John Bell Chapel at Appleby College; Turner Chapel Antiques and The Kensington (green roof). Oakville is an ideal location for this event as it has such a rich history and many of its important architectural sites have been protected over the years so that they remain a physical presence of the past for the present and the future. "The idea is that for one weekend, people from all different cultural and heritage institutions open their doors to the public and give them a chance to see something they wouldn't normally see", said Bill Nesbitt, Oakville Museum supervisor and a member of the Doors Open Oakville committee. Kevin Flynn, Oakville MPP, said, "Oakville has a remarkable history and a great collection of historical buildings and now we have an opportunity to showcase that to the rest of the province."