Friends of Harmony Park Society

Annual General Meeting

2011-01-24T11:57:00.001-04:00

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Harmony Park Society will be held on Wednesday, March 9, at 4:30 pm at Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School in Summerville.

All members of the public are invited to attend. Harmony Park is located on 4 acres surrounding the school and consists of landscaped recreational facilities including playground equipment, outdoor chess and checkers board, amphitheatre, soccer field, walking trail and school vegetable garden. The grounds are open for use by the school and all community members.

The volunteer Board of Directors is always interested in hearing your ideas and suggestions! Please contact Carrilee (633-2297) or Kathy (757-2085) for more information. Or contact by email @ harmonypark@live.com
Our new website is http://www.harmony-park.ca

Harmony Park's 2nd Annual Black and White Ball on October 23/10

2010-09-20T08:06:00.008-03:00

The Ball is being held on October 23rd at the new Brooklyn Fire Hall Civic Centre in Brooklyn, NS from 7pm-midnight. Tickets are $35.00 each/ $60.00 pair or $40.00 at the door. Featuring an art auction, silent auction, scrumptous snacks and fabulous music by Latin Groove. Tickets can be purchased (cash) at Moe's Place Music in Windsor or from Harmony Park board member Denise Stockdale.

The evening opens with an Art Auction (7pm-7:45pm viewing; 8:00pm-8:45pm live auction with auctioneer Laurie Parker) or a Silent Auction that runs through the evening of dancing (bidding closes at 11:15pm). Many of the art and silent auction items have been graciously donated by artists and folks from along the Hants Shore.

Check out the calender below to view the google map for directions to the Brooklyn Hall Civic Centre.

ARTIST NAME TITLE OF PIECE MEDIUM DIMENSIONS
Guenter Burr
Poppies In The Sun
Acrylic & Oil
10 inches X 13 inches

Helen Opie
Five Skiffs at Float
Oil on Canvas
8 inches X 10 inches, framed

Susan Geddes
Hillside Birches
Acrylic on Paper
12 inches X 16 inches, framed

Monica Cobb
Sparrow Hawk
Watercolour
9 inches X 12 inches

Monica Cobb
Poinsettia
Watercolour
9 inches X 12 inches

Ken Spearing
Canada Day 2010 at Harmony Park 1
Acrylic on Canvas
8 inches X 10 inches

Ken Spearing
Canada Day 2010 at Harmony Park 2
Acrylic on Canvas
10 inches X 13 inches

Rebecca Weatherbee
Untitled (kite in sky)
photograph
8 inches X 10 inches, framed

Rebecca Weatherbee
Untitled (nature study)
photograph
8 inches X 10 inches, framed

Jeanne Aisthorpe-Smith
Red Boat In Mist
Acrylic
20 inches X 6 inches

John Trask
Red Deer Silhouette
Photograph
12 inches X 16 inches, framed

Jacqeline Meyers
History and Hope
Wood, Mixed Media
D 9cm, W 18cm, H 18cm; to be hung as is

Ghyslaine Fecteau
Visual Arts
Print-Conte
11 inches X 13 inches, matted

Summer Student

2010-06-28T08:37:00.000-03:00

Hi!!! My Name is Jill Redden; I have been hired by The Friends of Harmony Park Society as a summer student for a twelve week program. I am currently enrolled at CCMH taking massage therapy. I am super interested in the holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle and preventative medicine. I am more than delighted to be a part of the Harmony Park/Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School team. I have been hired for a variety of tasks including maintenance, promotion, fundraising, programming and administration. With balance and organization this large mission has been successful and rewarding thus far.

As most of you know Harmony Park is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle and my job is to help make this happen. Part of my job is to maintain the gardens here at Harmony Park with weeding and watering of course! The Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School students have planted the gardens and will harvest the vegetables in the fall for use in their cafeteria as part of the healthy lunch program. I will also help to coordinate the activities held at Harmony Park throughout the summer. (Check out the rest of the Harmony Park website to find out what’s going on this summer; it is bound to be a good time!!!!)

I will be coordinating and running a five week enrichment program at the Health Center that gives students the opportunity to stay focused on the school curriculum, maintain and increase their existing abilities and hopefully increase their interest with regards to school work. So far, there are fifteen students enrolled in the program which whom I will provide tutoring services to in various subjects such as math, reading and writing. As part of an incentive to enroll in the program the students enrolled will meet with me at Harmony Park every other Friday just to have FUN!!

Fundraising and promoting are also tasks to conquer this summer at Harmony Park!!! On Tuesday nights I am assisting to coach six and under soccer at Harmony Park. As part of the fundraising for Harmony Park we have established a license allowing us to hold a 50/50 draw every Tuesday night during First Kicks Soccer. All proceeds will go to help maintain and develop Harmony Park. I am currently working on a brochure that will hopefully be an aid in gathering people to Harmony Park. The brochure will discuss the area and the purpose of Harmony Park. The Friends of Harmony Park Society would like anyone who wishes, to hold an event here at the park! The brochure will be placed in locations that will draw people to the community and to the park.

In closing, I hope to see you all at Harmony Park this summer. It is my pleasure to be a part of this wonderful program and to help out in such a beautiful community full of caring people. Together, we can hold events at Harmony Park where the children can have fun, be active and healthy and we can bring the community together.

2010 Canada Day Celebrations

2010-05-20T12:34:00.006-03:00

You’re invited to Canada’s birthday party!
Join the celebration at Harmony Park in Summerville July 1st from 2-5pm with games, food, music, prizes, and more!

There’s something for everyone:

· Talented, Eh? Wow the crowd with a song, a joke,
a magic trick – you name it!
To sign up, contact Carrilee at 633-2297 or harmonypark@live.com

· Can You Dig It? Search for treasure in the sandy deep!

· 4-H Family Fun Fair featuring a cupcake walk and carnival games

· Smokin’ Hot BBQ from the Summerville Fire Department

· Clueless in Canada – a super-sneaky scavenger hunt

· What’s a Squork? Find out when we announce the winners
of the Welcome, Squorks! contest.

plus prize draws from Canada Post, and birthday cake!

For more info, check out the calender, Squork blog or reach Terra at 633-2095.

Here's the schedule:

2:00pm Facepainting with Jen Appleby Summerville Fire Dept. BBQ
4-H games: fish pond, bean bag toss

2:30pm Talent Show part 1
Treasure dig (kids decorate paper bags to hold their treasure, whichthay "pan" from sand & water)

3:00pm 4-H Cupcake Walk

3:30pm Scavenger Hunt
Talent Show part 2

When the Talent Show and Scavenger Hunt have wrapped (between 4 and4:30) the Squork awards will be presented, and we'll have birthdaycake!

What is a Squork?

2010-05-20T12:29:00.002-03:00

The Squork family from the planet Xrteq are planning their
summer vacation. They would like to visit Earth,
but since Papa Squork only has a few light years off work, they can visit just one country.

Your task: invite the Squorks to Canada! Here’s how:

MAKE A POSTER: Design a poster that highlights some of the best things about our great country.

Make it bright and colorful, to stand out from all the other countries.

Use a sheet of 8.5”X11” paper, and let your imagination fly!

--OR--

WRITE A LETTER: Write an invitation to the Squorks telling them why you think they would have
a fantastic summer vacation here in Canada. Tell them about your favourite Canadian activities,
sights, sounds, tastes.
What makes Canada so great? The Squorks want to know!

All entries must be submitted to your teacher or the Canada Post office in Summerville by

MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010.
*Include your name, age, and phone number!*
Winners will be announced during the Canada Day at Harmony Park celebration!

2010 Veseys Spring Fundraiser

2010-04-30T10:33:00.006-03:00

Fantastic fundraising efforts again by Rachael Keeping, Maria Diminutto, and Lillian Newton with the 2010 Veseys Spring Campaign! The total amount raised was $600.00 which results in a $300.00 donation to Harmony Park. Rachael's order was $70.00, Maria's order was $65.00 and Lillian's order was $55.00 . They will each receive a frisbee as a thank-you for their efforts. Also, each DAHES student who collected orders each earned two gotcha tickets. Those students are: Jonathan Weatherbee, Erik Giswold, Maria Diminutto, Maddie Card, Jade Wile, Haley & Mark Brown, Julian Caldwell-Wile, Katy Wilcox, Tyler & Marie Eddy, Blake O'Brien, Nerissa Lake, Brayden Hood, Jillian Ernst, Darien and Jerid Wile, Darion & Connor Amos, Owen Stockdale, Rachael Keeping and Daynen McLellan.Thanks very much to you all from Friends of Harmony Park Society!

Thanks for Your Generosity 20 February 2010

2010-02-25T11:17:00.006-04:00

A bidding war at an art auction led to such generosity that it had to be celebrated in style.

A feast was in order and the Friends of Harmony Park were happy to play host.

The Pyras held the feast at their Red Pheonix Farm where Chef Jim and partner Karen ensured a deliciously good time was had by all.

Pumpkin Chuckin' Good Time!

2009-12-04T11:20:00.004-04:00

Wade Weatherbee has issued a challenge: “Be prepared Eddy’s, next year we will be back with a vengeance and we will be victorious!” While it sounds serious, Mr. Weatherbee’s challenge was issued in jest and he is prepared to graciously “eat crow” a year from now if his prediction of victory squashes like a frost-bitten jack o’lantern. Mr. Weatherbee is the father of Dr. Arthur Hines student Jonathan Weatherbee and this past month the two participated in Harmony Park’s annual Pumpkin Chuckin’ event where Dr. Arthur Hines School students load up home-built catapults and launch left over Halloween pumpkins into the soccer field at Harmony Park.

The Weatherbees were one of two families who spent many days designing, building and testing very different catapults in preparation for launch day. The Eddy family’s catapult, built by Ernest and his son Tyler, was constructed of wood and took 6-7 full working days to complete. “Tyler participated in all aspects of the design, construction, testing, re-designing and re-testing”. The Weatherbee catapult was constructed out of steel and took approximately 30 hours to finish with “Jonathan actually trying his hand at planning, measuring, welding and testing.”

When asked what they enjoyed most about participating in the Pumpkin Chuckin’ event both Mr. Eddy and Mr. Weatherbee were very enthusiastic. Mr. Eddy’s favorite part was “working with my son Tyler during the design and construction of the catapult as well as the enthusiasm of the children anticipating the launch”. Mr. Weatherbee felt that “Beyond winning or losing the challenge, one of the best parts about the whole thing was the learning our children received while taking part in the building; everything from levers and angles to weights and safety.”

Grade 3/4 student Micheal Crossley watched the Pumpkin Chuckin’ event at school and was inspired to build a catapult of his own at home. His table-top catapult is made from wood and features wheels and a bottle cap to hold objects in place before launch.

Tyler Eddy, Jonathan Weatherbee and Micheal Crossley all received coupons for a week worth of DAHES Healthy Lunch Program’s snacks and lunches from the Friends of Harmony Park Society.

Although neither the Weatherbee or Eddy families would say just exactly how far they were able to launch a pumpkin, Ernest Eddy did offer this bit of wisdom “standing in front of the catapult during launch could be considered hazardous to your health!

Chuck Porter recognizes Stan Pyra

2009-11-17T08:42:00.010-04:00

Chuck Porter was the winning bidder of this lovely poem by Kathleen Schaefer with sketch by Rachael Lake at our recent Masquerade Ball & Art Auction. The generous winning bid was $220.00 and as a supporter of the park he planned to hang it in his office.

When he learned of long-time Park supporter, Stan Pyra, he was moved to pass the artwork on to Mr.Pyra, doing so on a recent visit.

Although Mr. Pyra lives in Dartmouth, he has been a donor to FHPS for a number of years. He always responds to fundraising efforts and even surprises FHPS with unsolicited donations, such as sending "a cheque for seeds for the school garden" last spring.

FHPS are very grateful to Chuck Porter and Stan Pyra for their support of Harmony Park.

Pictured are: Hazel Dill-FHPS past president, Stan Pyra-donor extraordinaire, Chuck Porter-MLA Hants West, Denise Stockdale-art auction coordinator, Kathy Aldous-FHPS treasurer and Susan Savoury-FHPS board member.

http://www.chuckporter.ca/

1st Annual Masquerade Ball and Art Auction

2009-11-12T16:43:00.002-04:00

Check out this article in the Hants Journal about this fun, successful event and keep the weekend before Halloween 2011 open so you can attend the next one!!

http://www.novanewsnow.com/article-397834-Festive-fundraiser-helps-Harmony-Park.html

Fantastic Fall Fundraising

2009-11-02T12:00:00.002-04:00

Fantastic fundraising efforts by Wade Macumber, Maria Diminutto and Erik Giswold with the 2009 Veseys Fall Bulb & Seed Campaign! The total amount raised was $910.00 which results in a $455.00 donation to Harmony Park.

Wade's orders totaled $400.00 and Maria and Erik’s orders were $80.00 each.
They each received a certificate redeemable for a week of lunch/snack items from our Healthy Lunch Program menu.

Also, each DAHES student who collected orders each earned two gotcha tickets. Those students are: Wade Macumber, Jonathan Weatherbee, Darien Wile, Erik Giswold, Maria Diminutto, Maddie Card, Darian Smith, Jared Wile, Haley Brown, Mark Brown, Kyla Laffin, and Julian Caldwell-Wile.

Thanks very much to you all from Friends of Harmony Park Society!

Check out last year's catapult

2009-10-01T12:33:00.000-03:00

1st Annual Pumpkin Chuckin' 2008

What to do with those Jack O'Lanterns after Halloween?

Take 'em to Harmony Park and chuck 'em!!

For our first annual Pumpkin Chuckin' Event we had 13 entrants. Some threw their pumpkins while others were sent flying by catapult!

We had one catapult entered by the Eddy family, who challenged others to build one for next year. Maybe Middle School will enter next year?

Some pumpkins went pretty far!

And some exploded beautifully upon impact!!

Harmony Park's Beautiful New Stone Sign!

2009-07-28T14:38:00.004-03:00

As you can see, our new stone sign is being installed today! Will post details soon.

Canada Day 2009

2009-07-08T11:08:00.001-03:00

Canada Day at Harmony Park actually took place at the Summerville Fire Hall due to the questionable weather, but that didn't stop a big crowd from enjoying live music from Barb Gallagher, granddaughter Rhianna Braun, the Ogilvie Brothers, and the Shore Singers.

Jennifer Appleby shared her newfound talent for face painting, and the kids had a great time coloring, building, scavenger hunting with Denise Stockdale, and playing Crazy Canada Games with Nick Gilbert.

The day was topped off with delicious cake from the Avon Emporium and Farmers Dairy ice cream to go along with a picnic of great BBQ food from the Fire Department, fresh fruit and veggies, and frozen treats.

"Birthday" presents were awarded to the winners from the Canada Colors contest, Rhymes With Canada poetry competition, and the Build a Birthday Lego contest. The fantastic entries for all three contests were on display.

Thanks again to all the wonderful volunteers and sponsors who made another great Canada Day party possible! We'll see you all again nex tyear!

Canada Day 2009 Fun

2009-07-08T09:30:00.018-03:00

Lilly Kungl, Maisie Gilbert and Skyra Kungl were all smiles.

Owen Stockdale and Bronwyn Appleby compete in a round of Head Croquet.

Jennifer Appleby treats daughter Bronwyn to a butterfly mask as sister Blythe supervises.

Brothers Ed and Wilfred Ogilvie played some old favorites.

Blake O'Brien braved Diane Ogilvie's first attempt at tattoo artistry.

Canada Day Celebration 2009

2009-06-09T16:49:00.009-03:00

Celebrate Canada Day at Harmony Park! Join in the fun and festivities starting at 2:00pm on July 1st at Harmony Park in Summerville. Festivities have been moved to the Summerville Fire Department.
Enjoy live music, a scavenger hunt, wacky games, fine BBQ from the Summerville Fire Department, and, of course, birthday cake! We're looking for helping hands of all kinds: musicians, facepainters, decorators, etc. Contact Terra Spencer at 633-2095 or orangeterra@gmail.com for more details.

Pictures from Canada Day Celebration 2008

2009-06-09T16:45:00.006-03:00

Raspberry Planting!

2009-05-17T17:59:00.004-03:00

On May 5th/09, Tyler and Marie Eddy (with help from their Dad, Ernest) planted raspberry plants in Harmony Park’s School Garden at DAHS. The brother and sister pair placed the plants in holes they dug in the ground and surrounded them with horse manure to help them grow. Tyler and Marie wanted to plant the bushes so that local raspberries could be used in the school’s healthy lunch program. Yum!

2009-04-29T09:33:00.004-03:00

Fanastic fundraising efforts by Wade Macumber and Maria Diminutto with the 2009 Veseys Spring Bulb & Seed Campaign!

Wade's order totalled $140.00 and Maria's was $95.00.

They each received a certificate redeemable for a week of lunch/snack items from our Healthy Lunch Program menu.

Also, each DAHES student who brought back orders or whose family placed orders each earned two gotcha tickets.

Thanks for the great job, Wade and Maria!

Hants Journal recognizes Edible Schoolyard

2009-03-12T09:43:00.006-03:00

The Hants Journal, March 12, has published an article written by Nadine Armstrong and an editorial about Community Health Boards that recognizes the Edible Schoolyard Project at Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School. This project resulted in a beautifully inspiring DVD about the school garden. With help from West Hants Community Health Board, the students and many volunteers at DAHES and Friends of Harmony Park Society have created a "...perfect hands-on learning experience." for which all involved should be very proud!

Watch for the DVD to be available at your local Public Library.

Visit Slow Food Nova Scotia website http://www.slowfoodns.blogspot.com and choose Garden for more information on support for creating a similar garden at your local school.

The Edible Schoolyard

2008-10-20T11:32:00.005-03:00

The Edible Schoolyard

The 20 minute video tells the inspiring story of the efforts at Dr. Arthur Hines School to build a garden. With the help of the community, the garden is now part of the curriculum and the healthy lunch program. It has also given the students another view of food and cooking that reinforces local food and its role in a healthy lifestyle.

Slow Food NS intends to distribute the video to other education decision makers so that they will produce school gardens all across Nova Scotia in the coming years.

Where will the video be seen?This video will be made available at no cost to schools and School Boards, the Nova Scotia Department of Education, the Nova Scotia Department of Health, N.S. Health Promotion and Protection and all other interested groups who want to work with Slow Food Nova Scotia on the distribution of this video to meet their particular needs and objectives. It will aso be made freely available to the public at the public libraries. If your organization is interested in this project please contact Michael Howell at mail@slowfoodns.ca

Please visit www.slowfoodns.ca to view a sample of this video.
Posted by Harmony Park at 7:08 AM

Harvest Festival Luncheon prepared by Grade Six Class at DHAES

2008-10-20T09:29:00.000-03:00

Valley students gobble up edible schoolyard by Nadine Armstrong/Hants Journal View all articles from Nadine Armstrong/Hants JournalArticle online since October 19th 2008, 12:44
http://www.novanewsnow.com/

A veritable feast takes place each fall at the Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary School in Summerville as students, teachers and volunteers gather at the communal table to reap the rewards of another successful growing season.

The annual Harvest Festival Luncheon held Oct. 16 celebrated a culmination of hard work, imagination and community spirit that goes into the original Edible Schoolyard each year. And it looks like more Valley schools are ready to gobble up the concept.

The idea for the ever-expanding vegetable garden at Dr. Arthur Hines sprouted five years ago as a healthy living initiative between the school and the Hants Shore Health Centre. Project coordinator Kathy Aldous says the garden at Dr. Arthur Hines has set the precedent for the healthy living approach to learning. “I firmly believe this is the best health promotion program any school could have,” she said.

Not only are students more physically active by planting and tending the garden, the food they grow becomes the staple for school lunches. “It just encompasses everything; it’s the perfect hands on learning experience.”

The school’s Healthy Living coordinator Jean Crawford says having a garden onsite has expanded student appetites for healthy lunches.

“The Grade 6 students make the lunch program and now they have a better idea how to use the food they grow and are cooking more at home on their own.” She adds, “ it's just a great opportunity for them to see there is a different way of eating, and that fresh doesn't take long to prepare.”

Lessons learned extend into the classroom Lessons learned in the garden extend to indoor classroom activities as well, Aldous said. “It has opened doors for special projects right through the curriculum, from social studies to science and even poetry.”

Aldous is a member of Slow Food Nova Scotia whose special interest in the project inspired the documentary production of “The Edible Schoolyard” last May. She said SFNS would like to see more schools take the initiative to create their own gardens and it’s campaigning to promote the program throughout the region.

Troy Davids, a physical education teacher at Aldershot Elementary School in Kentville, attended this year’s soiree along with two student members of the school’s nutrition committee.

He said they came to get a first-hand look at what it would take to create an edible schoolyard on their own patch. “We're looking at starting something similar at our school if given the opportunity.” Aldershot School has applied for funding from the Health Promoting Schools initiative with plans to build an onsite greenhouse.

Davids agrees this approach to healthy living has a far greater reach than just good, wholesome food. “The whole process is tied into curriculum more than people realize,” he said.

Davids also recognized it takes the entire community pitching in. “They’re lucky to have such a strong volunteer base here to make this happen,” he said.

Can’t get food any fresher

Everyone at the celebration luncheon that day had a hand in helping to promote the edible schoolyard. The Grade 6 students give back by preparing a special meal straight from the garden. As a Slow Food member resident chef for the day, restaurateur Michael Howell volunteers once a year to help the students appreciate what’s growing in their own backyard. “The magic of today was that all this food was growing just a few hours ago. You can't get better than that.”

The menu for this year included such delicacies as honey glazed brussel sprout kebabs, veggie stuffed cabbage rolls, corn and leek chowder and baked parsnip chips.

Howell said it’s amazing what they can make from what is left in the garden. “It’s the best they can learn to make good from what they've grown here on their own.”

Stanley Pyra is a firm believer in the edible schoolyard and has helped to fund the initiative from day one. He traveled from his home in Dartmouth to partake of the students’ creations.

“I have so much appreciation for the work being done to help the children understand and better appreciate where their food comes from,” he said. “It just goes to show you can have a nourishing meal straight out of the garden. This is something every school should be doing.”

Who, what, where and why !

2008-09-28T15:37:00.006-03:00

Harmony Park is a community park surrounding Dr.Arthur Hines Elementary School in Summerville, West Hants, NS. It provides effective, beautiful space for healthy activities for all ages and acts as a focal point for the community.

Friends of Harmony Park Society (Registry ID 3086229) is a group of volunteers that operates, maintains, and improves Harmony Park, which serves communities, particularly students of the DAHES. FHPS is gratefully assisted by many community members in maintaining this park and encouraging healthy activities.

Examples of these activities are: First Kicks Soccer, walking club, cross country skiing, school vegetable garden for school lunches and summer Sunday market at Avon Emporium, Canada Day celebration, Pumpking Chuckin', guided exploration of the pond, bike riding on the trail and in the bike park, outside school classes, Terry Fox walk/run, a summer play and impromptu talent shows in the Amphitheatre.

Each Fall the students harvest the produce from their garden and use it in the healthy lunch program. There are now a group of students who have grown up with a school garden during their entire elementary school experience!

FHPS Board of Directors:
Kathy Aldous
Hazel Dill
Carrilee Eddy
Deron Moores
Michelle Lyon
Jim Pyra
Shelley Shaefer
Denise Stockdale
Rachael Lake
Susan Savory