The United Nations declared 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives. Following their lead, the 2012 Guelph Organic Conference; Seeds of Co-operation is marking its 31st year by recognizing the spirit of co-operation among the dedicated people that have made organic a household word.
   Retail, agricultural production, processing & marketing co-operatives have all helped organic advocates share dreams, ideas, equipment, land, human and financial resources. There are many other players in the organic movement too, who generously share their time, knowledge, experience and passion. It is this collaboration that forms the foundation of the organic network in Canada.
   Throughout the four day conference (January 26 to 29), this co-operative spirit will be evident, in workshops that emphasize marketing, management and growing co-operatives, and others encouraging the development of community seed systems, seed banks, seed research and organic seed development for the common good. Even social media – a powerful new tool for collaboration – has found its way onto the conference agenda.
   In addition to the workshops (Thursday through Sunday) and Organic Expo and Tasting Fair (Saturday and Sunday), you will be able to drop by the Co-op Ice Breaker Lounge (on the mezzanine level, just a few stairs up from main floor) to learn more about community-based food buying clubs, or share your thoughts and recommendations on future research with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.
   If the spirit of co-operation moves you, there are also plenty of opportunities to get involved as a conference volunteer or even as a workshop moderator, to join the collective spirit of this event.  This is how the Conference has succeeded for more than 30 years.

2012 Guelph Organic Conference: Seeds of Co-operation
University of Guelph: University Centre
January 26 to 29, 2012

For more details on the conference, visit www.guelphorganicconf.ca
To volunteer, contact volunteergoc@bell.net

The Mountsberg Raptor Centre is thrilled to host the Royal Ontario Museum’s spectacular Northern Owls exhibit from January 1 through to February 23, 2012. This educational and beautiful display will teach park visitors all about Ontario’s diverse owl species, some of which are live residents of our educational centre for non-releasable birds of prey.
      The Northern Owls Exhibit will be open at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre for self-guided exploration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It will also be a featured part of the popular evening Owl Prowl programs which are available for both families (January 14 and 28) and nature-minded adults (January 13 and 27).
     During special weekends in January and February, Raptor Centre staff will be available from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. to guide park visitors through the exhibit at no extra charge, and allow them an up-close and ‘nose-to-beak’ visit with one of Mountsberg’s live owl residents. Don’t miss this fascinating and educational family experience, free with gate admission on the following weekends: January 7 and 8, January 21 and 22, February 4 and 5, February 11 and 12 as well as February 18 and 19. Conservation Halton Annual Passholders only need to show their pass for park admission.

Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides at Mountsberg
You can enjoy a wagon or sleigh ride through the fields and forests of Mountsberg on a crisp, clear, cold and sunny winter day on weekends and Family Day (February 20) until February 20, 2012. Wagon rides will depart on those days at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Wagon ride tickets are Adults $3, Children $2 and can be purchased at the Discovery Centre.

About Mountsberg Conservation Area
Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, 5 km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and the Guelph Line. For more information on this event and all the other happenings at Conservation Halton Parks visit www.conservationhalton.ca and click on the Events Calendar.

Orchard House photographed by Mike Davis for Escarpment Views

All of us who work on Escarpment Views wish you a happy and wonder-filled Christmas. Be sure to take some time to get outdoors for a peaceful walk or some family fun! We’ll be taking some time off to do just that.

Wild Waterworks is proud to announce that for the first time ever, families can take advantage of significant savings by purchasing a 2012 Family Pass for four!
      The pass — good for the entire 2012 summer season — is available now, just in time for Christmas. The pass allows a family of four to take advantage of our lowest price ever offered; just $55.99 per person, or $223.96 for the family! The rate applies to families of four only. Additional family members can receive passes for $55.99 each. All listed prices are before HST.
     Solo season’s passes are also available for individual purchasers at $69.99. Regular general admission for 2012 remains at $20.80. All listed prices are before HST.
     The Family Pass allows each member access to Wild Waterworks all summer long. Ride the four tube slides and two six-storey body slides and surf the waves at one of Canada’s largest outdoor wave pools. Toddlers will love Little Squirt Works, a fun wading pool with sprays, mists and fountains. Wild Waterworks is located in Confederation Park, which is an 83-hectare package of fun and adventure located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Hamilton.
     With Christmas just around the corner, add a splash to your shopping list and get the gift that continues to give, while enjoying family time in the summer at Wild Waterworks!
     Expect to save even more when you visit next season: there will be free parking at Confederation Park, home of Wild Waterworks.
     If you’re looking for a great way to save this Christmas, get your season’s passes at Wild Waterworks to enjoy all the summer fun. Purchase your tickets online at www.wild-waterworks.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WildWW . You can also contact us by phone at 905-547-6141, ext 5301.

They’re off! Start of Egg Nog Jog at Terra Cotta CA. All photos by Mike Davis.

The sold-out 29^th annual Egg Nog Jog, claimed to be “the prettiest and most challenging road race in Ontario,” took place on Dec. 11 starting at Terra Cotta Conservation Area. Organized by the Georgetown Runners, there were 609 entrants taking part in 10.8-km course that followed roads up and down the Niagara Escarpment hills in the area. Darryl Bank of Toronto was the fastest runner, finishing in 37 minutes, 28 seconds. Our friend and advertiser Brad Mailloux of downtown Georgetown’s Feet in Motion was the first Georgetown Runner across the finish line. Mike was there taking plenty of photos. Do you see yourself in the crowd?

     A special One Mile Smile race was held for kids 12 and under. 

Runner with bib # 60 is in the lead at the start.

Not in the very first group, but near the front of the pack.

The One Mile Smile race for kids starts here with parents behind them.

Kids are picking up speed here.

Here's the winner of the One Mile Smile heading for the finish line.

Did you run this race? How did you do? What was it like?

Andrew Gilpin, Lisa (Tass) Jackson, A. Dale Wood. Photographed by Laurent Thibault.

Have you heard of Andrew Gilpin? A full house at The Georgetown Choral Society’s (GCS) Christmas concert on Dec. 10 was treated to Gilpin’s magnificent composition to the Latin Gloria, the ancient prayer of the mass of the Christian church.
     Gilpin is a Wunderkind, a young man who was entirely home schooled and a completely self-taught musician. His Gloria is difficult and technically demanding in parts, with a solo part in the high soprano range, yet it has memorable or “catchy” melodic elements that had some audience members humming afterward.
     The soloist was Lisa (Tass) Jackson, an accomplished internationally trained singer who is also a member of GCS. During the Gloria, she easily stepped in and out of the solo part, lending support to the soprano section while planted in the middle of the central tenor section. She was also nine months pregnant!
     The Gloria filled the second half of the concert, which featured Shawn Grenke as accompanist, and began with a gorgeous arrangement of O Come, Emmanuel, moved through some fun and unusual carols, and included an audience sing-along ruthlessly conducted by the controlling and entertaining GCS tenor Jack Morrison. The first half ended with a big musical flourish that featured a solo by GCS soprano Maria Stevens.
     But it is Andrew Gilpin who crowned the evening. He and his parents attended the concert and he said this was the first time he had heard his work performed without him playing it, and he thanked conductor Dale Wood for that.
     World-class musical talent is on offer in Georgetown near the Niagara Escarpment! Have you heard or performed Gilpin’s work?