Beginning Again

 Back in 2013 I wrote this:

I began My Stratford! a fond look at Stratford, Ontario  back in June of 2009. My fun came to an abrupt end in September 2010 when I changed Internet providers and lost the ability to connect to my blog ...

Last week I had an email from someone asking me if I was still writing the blog about Stratford. I had been toying with the idea of starting up again and that note provided the push I needed. Thank you.

If you are interested,  I invite you to look at my posts from the past at http://helen-harrison.blogspot.ca/

In the meantime I will be drumming up new stories to keep you abreast of what is happening here in Stratford. Welcome to the journey.

So here I am again. 2020-21 has been a very difficult time for many people around the world, including me. But my difficulties have been mild compared to hundreds of thousands who have lost loved ones during Covid-19.

This Spring in Stratford has been an amazing time of renewal - both in nature and in the feelings of hope that have bubbled  and sometimes struggled their way to the surface. Writing and photographing the beauty of our world have always brought joy to my spirit, so come along if you wish as I explore the wonders of our beautiful city.

A Winter's Tale

Here in Stratford we are accustomed to seeing a variety of productions of the world's great dramatic works. We might have Elizabethan dress, perhaps styles from ancient Greece, or even at times military uniforms that somehow seem too familiar - and all this for the same play! Our theatre productions are only limited by the imaginations of the designers.

In the same manner our winters display a variety of production - sometimes designed rather whimsically, it seems.

Yesterday we had snow...

   then freezing rain...

      and now  a promise of a few days of rain before the temperature plummets once again.

Welcome to the 2015 version of January in Stratford. After our green Christmas, snow is almost welcome.

So why should we be surprised when this year's version of Winter is dramatically opposed to the blustery snow-filled scenes of January 2014?




 How could we forget that production? Ice-encased limbs were strewn with abandon across the town;

                                             a giant snow cake adorned the table on my deck;

                                                                                            mysterious ghoulish creatures appeared






                    and sank into the old wooden chairs in my yard;

 cars lay dormant beneath a mound of snow;

while the guard dog at the entrance to Upper Queens Park snuggled safely in her blanket of white.


 Winter in Stratford - a time of beauty, a time of rare design.

MISTY MORNING

Wrapped in a blanket of fog

                                                 

What lies beyond the veil?

     ...A mystery,  

     A place where mysteries are themselves 

                          unveiled  upon the stage,                     

where life decisions are settled

...for the city

   ...for nature.

What of our world?  

 

Are we wrapped in the shroud of forgetfulness?

It may be pleasant to walk in Stratford's fog...

But a world in the fog?

CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY

In late November, before the frigid weather settles in for the winter, Stratford begins to undergo a transformation. People get busy with their paintbrushes

and dig out their lights to create a front yard wonderland.

Only the limits of their imagination and their artistic taste will determine the end result on display for fellow citizens to enjoy.

The downtown core takes on a magical Victorian glow as shop owners get into the spirit and festoon their windows and planters for all to enjoy.

         
Early in December the Queen of the Square, our picturesque City Hall, gets decked out in her finest to proclaim the arrival of the Season.

Why not consider a December jaunt to our fair city? Do some Christmas shopping in our quaint downtown, visit the new Victorian Trail, or our ever famous Chocolate or Maple Trail. Wrap up your weekend visit with a a horse drawn sleigh ride, a gourmet meal at one of our fine restaurants, and perhaps even an overnight getaway at one of our fine  B&Bs or inns.  We'll look forward to your visit!

BY DOING THEY LEARN

Last week as I walked along the river, I came upon a hands-on science lesson in progress – a mother enabling her children at a young age to develop a love of nature.

Apparently she brings the kids down to the river about once a week to feed grain to the ducks. 

And they obviously love it! All of them! As you can see, the excitement of the ducks soon attracted the geese, at which point the baby was lifted to mom’s knee.     

When the swans decided to join the party, it was time for the little ones to leave.

         

The joy on the faces of these three, and the delighted murmuring of appreciation 
from their feathered friends was truly a wonderful addition to my morning stroll. 
To see the next generation being groomed to respect their world, awesome! 

WOW!

  

Wonderful!  Outstanding!  Way to go, Stratford Symphony!

Recently I had the privilege of attending the opening night of this year’s season presented by the Stratford Symphony Orchestra. The evening, directed by the legendary Howard Cable, took us on a trip down memory lane.  At 93, Cable was delightfully quick-witted in his commentary as he introduced each of his renditions of the musical greats of the big band era.

The music was great and the memories pleasant, but what amazed me the most was the skill of the musicians that make up our symphony. To leap from their normal mode of classical orchestra into the free flowing, rhythmic swing that had the audience (and some of the orchestra members) bouncing in our seats – all I can say is WOW!

We are privileged in Stratford to have an abundance of musical experiences available to us. From October until June there is a wide variety of options for us to expand our horizons through the vehicle of music. The Stratford Symphony Orchestra, The Stratford Concert Band, Music & Opera, The Stratford Concert Choir, Inner Chamber, to name a few – all of these have a whole season prepared for our enjoyment. Details are available on their websites or you can pick up their brochures at the Tourism office across from City Hall.

We have a gold mine of cultural experiences right on our doorstep for very reasonable rates, many offering further reductions if you purchase tickets for the entire season. Why travel out of town, when this is available right in our backyard? It is only by our continued support that we are able to these experiences available in our community. Why not give yourself a cultural treat this year? Think about inviting your out-of-town relatives and friends to come and experience this different side of Stratford. A season’s pass makes a great holiday gift! Hope to see you there. 

CELEBRATING CANADA

July 1 found the citizens of Stratford out in full force to celebrate the fact that we are proud Canadians.

After stopping to listen to buskers in the park by Pazzo's, I headed to Market Square behind City Hall. It had been transformed into a tent city, bustling with activities for young and old alike.

Clowns and and bouncy castles entertained the young,

while Happy Hands -made of wax attracted the attention of adolescents.  

           

After the annual presentation of the bronze stars that will be placed in the downtown area, local performers were given 20 minute segments to strut their stuff.  

It was a special treat for us to welcome Yeager back to the stage as he continues to make his recovery following a horrific accident in March 2012. 



With a variety of vendors tantalizing our taste buds and plying their wares and  information, the City Centre Committee once again treated us to a fantastic Canada Day celebration, which we all enjoyed....including the canine attendees!

The annual evening parade and fireworks display were the icing on the cake, so to speak. This is just a sample of what makes us proud to be Canadian, and especially proud to live in Stratford!