4 Friday, June 22, 2018 brooklintowncrier.com History and I have long had a love-hate relationship. While I've always revelled in snippets about the wild things the world has endured, I hated having to study and memorize them. When was the Treaty of Utrecht? How did it affect Canada? Who were Wolfe and Montcalm? Name two major causes of the First World War. (My wise ass answer: arrogance and stupidity). Wherever I go, I'm drawn to historical sites, plaques, houses, and first hand accounts. Once, while in France doing a hockey gig, my wife and I took a tour of the Maginot Line. Our tour guide, an older gent, claimed to have been captured by the Germans when they overran it in 1940. If I'd had the time, I would've spent a few hours with him. So it goes, too, in little ol' Brooklin whose history, I'm learning, is more genteel yet not without its curiosities. Did you know there were once 10 mills up here as well as a tannery and a dairy? Grass Park used to be the site of a hotel. A local doctor was murdered in Brooklin. We have an enclosed and overgrown graveyard, home to dozens, with no gravestones to mark their places. It sits next to a daycare. In fact, Brooklin started out being called Winchester. The tales of our area's previous lives are being slowly and painstakingly uncovered by a dedicated and passionate group of long time Brooklinites. Now officially the Brooklin Heritage Society and incorporated as an historical group by the Ontario Historical Society, members share not only an abiding love for history but also a fervent desire to share Brooklin's. Preserving the historical integrity and small town feel is of paramount importance, and rightly so. City slicker newbies like me need to learn about and respect the community's origins. But more significantly, we all should embrace how local history can be enjoyed. I sit in my fenced backyard and wonder what was here before. On whose land am I interloping? Is it true train tracks once ran along my street, by MichaelKelly's restaurant where the station stood, then up Queen? Who were the teenagers who got on this reputedly slow-as-molasses train in Port Whitby and hopped off at the front to hop back on at the rear, because daring stunts are what teens do? Time won't stop developers from gobbling up chunks of land to build on. However, it takes a group of volunteers like the Heritage Society to ensure that, while new developments emerge, Brooklin will retain its charm and small town feel. Here's one for you: The current library rests on the site of the original one, which had a sign "Brooklin Library" over the front door. That sign disappeared. However, the rumour mill (not one of the 10 mentioned earlier) claims it's in the home of another longtime Brooklinite. Who could it be? Community Calendar Fri., June 22: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (4th Friday of each month) Teen Leadership Council at Brooklin Library Whitby Library's Brooklin Branch seeks Teen Leadership Council members to share ideas & assist with special events and programs. Grade 9-12 students earn community service hours. Snacks provided. No registration required. For information, email teenservices@whitbylibrary.ca. Tues., June 26: 7 pm - Brooklin Heritage Society A general membership meeting at the Brooklin Legion upstairs. Wed., June 27: 7:30 pm - Brooklin Horticultural Society Guest speaker Bill Peel: "Catch the Photo, Capture the Memory." He will share stories that have coloured his life and different mediums to share memories. French Family Storytime: Children and their caregivers can join Madame Sue for weekly French Family Storytime! A half hour of French stories and songs, with a dash of English! Drop in at Central Library's Children's Program Room Tuesdays: 7:25 pm: Brooklin Toastmasters Club Practice public speaking at Brooklin Community Centre & Library. Contact John Johnstone at jajhj@sympatico.ca or phone 905-683-4439 or Patricia Romano at promano257@outlook.com or phone 905-626-7055. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays Community Care Durham (CCD) Basic Foot Care at St. Thomas' Anglican Church. 905-668-6779 Mon.-Fri. CCD delivers hot or frozen meals. To order: Karen Andrews 905-668-6779 If you have a community not-for-profit event you would like included in the calendar, please email it to editorofBTC@gmail.com with the subject line "calendar." Priority will be given to Brooklin events. Some editing may occur. WORSHIP DIRECTORY WORSHIP DIRECTORY Burns Presbyterian Church 765 Myrtle Rd West (just 4 minutes north of Brooklin) 10am Worship, Kids Zone Fun & Nursery Care "Discovering God, Sharing God's Love" 905.655.8509 www.Burnschurch.org St. Thomas' Anglican Church 101 Winchester Road East Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Program (10:30am) Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Communion and Healing Service 905-655-3883 www.stthomasbrooklin.ca Brooklin United Church 19 Cassels Rd. E. Sunday Services at 10:30 am Sunday School & Nursery Care www.brooklinunited.ca 905-655-4141 Come catch the Spirit! Renaissance Baptist Church of Brooklin 40 Vipond Road (Just West Of Library) Sunday Worship & Kids Program 10:30 a.m. 905-655-4554 www.brooklinrbc.ca We're here for Brooklin! Advertise With Us 905.655.7642 Come See for yourself or call Lydia Hartley for your private tour Direct: 905-447-9511 Office: 905-728-1600 Re/Max Jazz Inc Brokerage Welcome to 35 Watford Street Perfect Place To Call Home! Luxuriously upgraded 4 bdrm,4 bath home. Hardwood & Crown molding thruout, Dream Kitchen open to Great Room, new Windows, Doors & Roof. Everythings been done! Move in and enjoy all the fine features this home has to offer. OPEN HOUSE June 24th 2-4 pm Keeping local history alive Less than Half the Picture By Richard Bercuson