The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, June 25, 1997 Section Two Page 7 by Lorraine Ma nfredo Staff. Writer When William Humber's newest book arrives in bookstores bookstores this month, fans will be thrilled to learn this entertaining entertaining baseball historian has turned his attention to his own community. Humber's ninth book is called Bowmanville: A Small Town at the Edge. It was released June 19 in softcover by Natural Heritage Press. Humber is also the author of Diamonds of the North published published in 1995 and has written a number of children's books on soccer and baseball. In this latest 126-page offering filled with captivating captivating photographs dating back to the 19th century, Humber casts an • often affectionate, often critical gaze at the history history and colorful characters of NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR NEW COMMUNITY?, Gall .GOME' 1 'AGON Since 1930 Sandra Yates 623-5873 Bowmanville Area Our hostess, will bring gifts and greetings, along with helpful community information. % CANADA DAY f t WEEKEND * CELEBRATIONS ALL WEEKEND Water Slide • Splash Pools • Giant Slide • Trikes and Bikes for Kids SAT., MON. and TUES. Entertainment " A Touch of Hawaii" 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Traditional Dancing and Costumes designed by Hawaiian-born Ohulani SUNDAY Entertainment DeVries Family Gospel Concert in the park. 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. 8 children from one family inspire us TUESDAY Entertainment Incorporated Militia of Upper Canada and their families, in 1800's period costume Battle Re-Enactment at 12 noon and 4 p.m. Old-Fashioned Buggy Display Grand Openingof Miniature Parkwood Estate 2 pjn. Cullen Gardens & MINIATURE VILLAGE 300 Taunton Rd. West, Whitby • 1 -800-461-1821 this small town called chose to relocate in Oshawa Bowmanville positioned was because Bowmanville within reach of Toronto's was too successful, Humber ever-encroaching urban says. It already had six car- sprawl. riagemakers to Oshawa's one. "It is tempting to suggest "As well, Bowmanville's that Bowmanville's growth in Ontario Bank was the late 20th century owes Conservative and Methodist, much to the pluck and zeal of whereas McLaughlin prelocal prelocal initiative," the author ferred Oshawa's Dominion said at a Rotary luncheon Bank owned by Liberal recently. "But, much in fact Presbyterians and a smaller depends on the community's bank, the Western, which was gradual entanglement in the prepared to loan him money." greater Toronto region. It's McLaughlin's decision to easy to forget a time when go to a community nine miles prosperity was due to an closer to Toronto would ambitious local policy of change forever the fortunes of industrial expansion and a the two towns, as the carriage time when the competitive business eventually became advantages of Toronto's prox- General Motors of Canada, imity were less pronounced, "In the bargain however, he said. Bowmanville got something Bowmanville was a thriv- better," Humber says. " A ing bustling brick town in its small town perhaps, but one earlier heydey in the mid to in which security, cama- late 1800's. ' raderie, and access to the But just prior to the turn of countryside were readily the century the town changed available." from a self-confident town Humber not only recounts driving toward a future as a the history of his town on the major centre, to an inward- edge, he also encourages the looking, self-absorbed place, reader to imagine its future, according to Humber. He In forging a future for the cites a sudden decline in local town, residents can look for manufacturing plants in the models in the examples pro- ten years prior to 1901 as well vided by earlier townspeople «a ■ a significant decline in and the environment they cre- population. ated. But Bowmanville's fate "My book suggests a vari- wasn't unique. In the fifty ety of these paths including a year period between 1900 to return to a " locally-based 1950 many Ontario towns political foundation, an inte- shrunk into obscurity, he grated street pattern of neigh- noted. Bowmanville's dimin- borhoods bisected in the man- ished status was evident when ner Hwy. 2 presently crosses it was passed up by a string of the old north south grid, a campaigning political leaders reinforcement of key images between the eras of Laurier and vistas and an examination and Deifenbaker. of what it means to design Bowmanville, once a "must communities with integrated stop for ambitious leaders" land uses in which shopping, was reduced to a place of residences and workplaces "political irrelevance", he are all within walking dis- observes. tance of each other and in One of the twists of fate which one can walk into the which derailed Bowmanville countryside in no more than from its intended route as a 15 minutes." major centre was business William Humber's book decision by a certain carriage- Bowmanville: A Small Town maker in Enniskillen. on the Edge is available for Ironically, one of the rea- $16.95 at the The Book sons Robert McLaughlin Studio in Bowmanville. Christian Recording Artist Performs fri., June 27lh Singer, songwriter, communicator, Christian recording artist, and one of God's mobile people, Jeff Hunt will be performing in Bowmanville Friday, June 27. His third decade in Christian music and his first as a solo artist have provided thousands of opportunities to share the songs he and the Lord have written together. His rich bass-baritone voice and style are usually described as somewhere between Roger Whittaker and B.J. Thomas. He says the focus of his ministry is to present "common sense spirituality". His five albums and his video arc the tangible way people can take the Christian concert experience home to re-live and to share with family and friends. Jeff Hunt He has received the International Angel Award lor Middle-of-lhc-Road Album of the Year and nominations for Male Vocalist and Country Gospel Album of the Year. Jeff Hunt will be appearing at the Bowmanville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2850 Hwy. 2 East (at Lambs Road), Bowmanville, on Friday, June 27, at 7:15 p.m, Author Bill Humber with the newly released book entitled entitled Bowmanville: A Small Town at the Edge. LIBERTY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Corner of Martin Road and Highway #2, Bowmanville Rev. Mark A. Scarr, Senior Pastor ifôn Oaring!©» Family Day Sunday, June 29,1997 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service (Indoor) "God Keep Our Land" 12:00 Noon Clarington Family Picnic • FREE Hamburgers and Hot Dogs • Games Galore • Bouncing Castles • Fun For Everyone 7:30 p.m. Evening Celebrations (Outdoor) with Al Derry & Force Outreach Team Special Music N.W.C. (Never Without Christ) and Midnight Cry FREE ©J.P, Don't miss Clarington's LARGEST fireworks display at dusk! Bring your lawn chair Vacation Bible School August 12 -17 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For Boys and Girls ages 5-12 Featuring: Jamie and Laurie Smith and STRIKE FORCE CALL NOW TO REGISTER 623-5100 (Free Admission) Sponsored by Liberty Pentecostal Church For further information phone (905) 623-5100