durhamregion.com 4 The Citizen April 18, 2014 Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Fred Eismont - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classified Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Office Manager Cheryl Haines - Composing Manager PH 905-579-4400 CLASSIFIEDS 905-576-9335 GENERAL FAX 905-576-9335 NEWS FAX 905-579-1809 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, SNA. All content copyright A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication thecitizen Using social media for good As a social media manager, I'm always interested in how local businesses are using online marketing to promote their business. My main interest is in those using social media for the good of others. Two local Durham realtors, Steph and Elle, from Right at Home Realty, caught my attention. About a year ago they started a Facebook group called "Brooklin-Whitby-Oshawa Business Owners Shout Out Page." Steph and Elle are passionate about uniting the local business community, and their goal was to help spread awareness of the local talent in Durham Region. The group members support each other, and spread the word to help grow each other's client base. The group strives to stay positive and professional, under the watchful eye of the creators. The fast-growing number of members, currently more than 2,500, is mainly due to the constant reminder about the mission of the group from the administrators. Steph notes, "If a member is looking for a service we encourage them to look to the group for a referral. We have had many success stories within this group. It's about getting others to know your businesses, but also giving back. This is a dedicated group that supports each other. They are the core of our community. Our reward is to be able to offer this forum where wonderful things are happening." As the group grows, it's planning its first social networking event in May. One activity that Steph and Elle are looking forward to is the creation of a committee that will create future strategies to donate to local charities. There are many other local niche groups that are using social media to gather online and share a common interest. They are out there for you to find and join. Cecilia Waldron is the creator of C and C Connections, a networking group that connects all business owners in Brooklin. CeCilia Waldron Community Whittling wood in Brooklin Chris hall chall@durhamregion.com WHITBY -- Wood chips lay scattered on the blue tablecloth in front of Lloyd Thomas, his hands sweeping them away as he chats with passing curious carvers. The chunk of wood on the table is starting to take shape as Mr. Thomas's knife whittles away at it, but it won't be finished anytime soon. Mr. Thomas is OK with that; he'd rather chat. "It's very therapeutic, very relaxing. It's almost religious," he told an inquiring visitor about the ancient hobby of woodcarving. "It's great fun." All around him, dozens of people are milling about the Heydenshore Pavilion in south Whitby on a windy Saturday morning, eyeing up the myriad of carved creations on display at the Brooklin Woodcarvers' 24th annual woodcarving show and competition. For three decades, the Brooklin Woodcarvers have dedicated themselves to the art of woodcarving using knives, gouges, chisels and other tools. The group, consisting of adults with abilities ranging from beginner to master carver, meets every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brooklin Community Centre on 45 Cassels Rd. E. Mr. Thomas got his start in the hobby about a dozen years ago when he took an interest in making his own walking sticks. It wasn't a pastime his wife was overly thrilled about. "I used to drag home all the Christmas trees I could find and make walking sticks out of them. It got to the point where my wife hated Christmas," he said with a laugh. Now, he's turned his favourite hobby into a business of sorts, opening the Whitevale School of the Arts about three years ago and offering carving classes that focus on totem poles. Mr. Thomas has also moved on from scavenging the neighbourhood for Christmas trees. "When I'm walking in the bush, I'm always on the lookout for the perfect tree branch that I can make a walking stick out of," he said. "Now I look at trees in a totally different way." Anything an aspiring or veteran carver could want could be found at the waterfront community hall on March 22. Slabs of wood, paints and bird bits -- eyes and feet up for sale, neatly sorted and labelled in pull-out drawers -- can be found at vendors' tables. But the real stars of the show are the carvings themselves, sitting on display at the tables where representatives from clubs across Durham and beyond proudly showcase their creations. Birds of all sizes and species stand beside lighthouses and horses. Relief carvings of seascapes are popular, as are customized wooden nameplates and superheroes. These are all works that Bill Stevens and Gord Madeley hope to make themselves some day. Both Ajax men are taking carving classes at the Northview branch of the Oshawa Senior Citizens Centres. "It's something I always wanted to do but I didn't know how to approach it," said Mr. Stevens, a toolbox sitting in his lap. "It's intimidating at first, but fun when you get the hang of it. I don't think there's anyone who can't do it." Both men describe themselves as "outdoor guys" with an interest in birds that helped steer them towards a hobby in carving. "It's not as hard as it looks. It's pretty forgiving -- if you make a mistake, you can just sand it out," added Mr. Madeley. "It's an artistic outlet I never knew I had." Robert Woodill estimates he spends a couple hours each night whittling wood. "When I'm sitting and carving, I don't even know time is going by," said Mr. Woodill, the woodcarving show's coordinator. "It brings me inner peace -- I'm very happy when I do it and I enjoy it. "If I could make it into a full-time job, I would." Mr. Woodill has been carving wood for about a decade, after he was encouraged to try the hobby by club members following his father's death. "It's sort of like using your imagination and you start with something really simple," he explained, noting boots and hound dogs are popular rookie carvings. And, maybe most importantly, no artistic skills are necessary, stressed Mr. Woodill. "It has nothing to do with drawing," he said, noting most carvers use patterns to set their templates. "You really don't need any art skills; it might help, but it's not necessary." There's a certain demographic that seems to like woodcarving -- older men looking to whittle away time, some with their wives in tow -- and that makes Nicole Koch stand out in a room. The 13-year-old Richmond Hill girl has been carving for about seven years, following in her father's footsteps. Her focus is on the tiny knife blade that's flicking away wood bits on her chip carving when she's interrupted. "I just like it because it's different," offered Nicole. "It's not something we get to do in class at school, so I like that." Visit: www.ontariowoodcarvers.com/ brooklinhome.html WHITBY -- Ted Fagan worked on his piece during the Brooklin Woodcarvers' weekly meeting on March 27. The group meets at the Brooklin Community Centre on Thursday nights. sabrina byrnes / Metroland