ARTS & CULTURE
Flesherton Calling
Markdale Writers' Group
By: Kevin Land
Every first Thursday of the month at 8 p.m, something subversive goes on in a little-known bookstore in the village of Markdale. There, a group of eleven or so writers gather to offer each other encouragement and critiques, exchange ideas, engage in a writing exercise or two and even, if the moon is just so, share their work. Together, they form the “Markdale Writers’ Group”. It is by no means a homogenous entity. Although each member might be there for a different reason, the commonly held belief among them is that the act of writing creatively fulfills a personal need.
Michelle, one of the group’s co-founders, views the writing process as the means through which she can weave some of her darker insights into a positive storyline that will ultimately take the form of a children’s book. The other co-founder, Suzi, also hopes to write children’s books, but her desire to do so is more a response to the lack of quality she frequently finds in the ones she reads to her children. The pair realized
there may be other writers in the community looking for an outlet to help create and discuss their work.
Jackie finds that meeting with the group helps “to harness my creativity in new and exciting ways”. In the case of Janet, inspiration comes from within, where the craft resides, and she lets her imagination flow through whatever paths it may wish to take. Randy prefers to observe the real world, taking as his catalyst real events or conversations and subjecting them to a “what if” exercise. Tracey was born on Hallowe’en night, and therefore she believes herself to be a writer by destiny. She has never had a problem coming up with ideas but getting them down on paper has always been the challenge. For her, it’s all about revision, and constant rereading and rewriting is the key to success. Everyone places great emphasis on developing the necessary discipline to complete a project. Yvonne finds that the accountability a monthly meeting provides is perfect and helps her to focus more keenly on her creative efforts.
Some of the members of the group already have completed projects behind them. Tara has written a novel entitled “Age of the Almek” (available on Amazon) and responds positively to the sense of community and friendship she has encountered in the group. James is working on his second novel and loves the brainstorming component that occurs in each meeting as well as the tips and suggestions that come out around marketing.
The job of a writer is indeed a solitary one, and each of the members of the Markdale Writer’s Group has found the experience of getting together a positive one. Even though there have only been three meetings so far, many of those in attendance have become fast friends. Although the group is not looking to expand, Michelle has offered to help give another group a jump start.
Any takers, Grey County?
Flesherton Calling
"Better"
By: Kevin Land
One of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional life occurred three years after we moved to Grey County. It came out of a conversation I had with my wife while we were driving sometime in the spring of 2015. Mary-Jo, a psychotherapist, was working three days a week with the newcomer community at the soon-to-be-closed Hamilton high school, Sir John A. Macdonald. In her role there, she became aware of the need for Canadian students to develop a greater compassion and openness towards newcomer students.
There had to be a way to address the challenges these students faced as they adjusted to a country that was new to them. It occurred to her that I could work with the students to write a play which told their stories, as I had done for numerous elementary and secondary schools in the city over the preceding twenty years. Only this time, it would be much, much bigger.
The agency for which Mary-Jo was clinical lead, OASIS, got behind the idea and Mary-Jo approached the school’s principal, Don Pente, to see if he thought there was any possibility that a play written and performed by students could occur there. Not only did Don think so, he suggested that the Grade 12 “Writers’ Craft” course in the first term and the Theatre Arts class in the second term, could be devoted to the initiative.
In the fall of 2015, the students in the “Writers’ Craft” class came up with a simple, yet effective, premise for the play. What if a lockdown at a high school triggered a traumatic response from newcomer students? They interviewed their fellow students in search of stories, chose six which offered the most potential, and began to write “Better”, which wove them all together. The class was broken down into groups, and teacher David Behiel and I helped them get the play into performance shape.
In the second term, I worked with Mary Hockey, the Theatre Arts teacher and the director of the play which would be performed at the school auditorium in April. Many of the students from the “Writers’ Craft” class enrolled in the course because they wanted to see their words come to life on the stage. The play was cast, and the rehearsal process began. My long-time friend Nigel Hamer, a veteran of Stratford and numerous film and television roles, offered his expertise on acting to the class. When the opening came in late April, students from all over the city were bussed in to attend. Most satisfying of all, because I had a relationship with Theatre Aquarius, where I had directed and had a couple of my plays produced, I was able to arrange for the final performance of “Better” to take place on the Main Stage. It was a great feeling to witness the proud expression of the parents, many of whom had daughters who would never have been permitted to step on a stage in their native country.
“Better” certainly lived up to its title for everyone involved, me included. The cast and crew of the production, like the writing group before them, became a tight-knit community. The themes of the play, empathy and acceptance, played out before all who were involved, and all who attended the show. If you are interested, you can watch the documentary of the project, “A Better Day”, at Mary-Jo’s website,
Flesherton Calling
Deeter Hastenteufel
By: Kevin Land
For Deeter Hastenteufel, every artistic venture begins with a clear concept. The idea precedes medium, style, even form. Each piece is unique, unlike any of his other creations, and he approaches it as such. In his own words, as an artist, “he is not easily put into a box”. At any given time, his work might take the form of a painting, a sculpture, even video or performance art. After studying commercial art and working as a commercial artist in Germany, he returned to school in Wuerzburg to study Fine Art in 1964 and Sculpture and Ceramic-mural in Stuttgart from 1965-8. Then he moved to Canada.
Shortly after his arrival, he began teaching at “The New School of Art” in Toronto, where fellow faculty members included Joyce Wieland, Graham Coughtry, Robert Markle, Gordon Rainer and Harold Klunder.
All the while, Deeter continued to produce his own work, participating first in group, and later, solo exhibitions. Over the next 50 years, he was involved in over a hundred of them around the world. He even was part of a fictional exhibition for the David Cronenberg movie “The Fly” from 1986. In the opening scenes in an art gallery, Hastenteufel’s sculpture with neon entitled “Triangular Light” is part of the show.
During his first few years in Canada, Deeter was offered a unique opportunity as “artist in residence” for the National Sewer Pipe Company in Clarkson. This presented him with significant free studio space in which to work as well as extensive use of plant facilities. Out of this came a large volume of clay sculptures of sewer pipes which he had remolded, altered, and glazed. In this way, it is easy to understand Hastenteufel’s fascination for art created from found objects, one which remains to this day.
The Dufferin County Museum and Archives unveiled and displayed two works he created in 2003. The first, entitled “DEE-fence”, involved three Out-of-Door sculptures consisting of antique steel farm equipment arranged and welded together. The second time the DCMA presented work from Hastenteufel was as part of the TRANART show, which featured work from two German artists and Deeter, representing Canada. The notion was that the show would travel internationally. Even its name, as a palindrome, suggested movement.
Juxtaposition and contrast are always key in Hastenteufel’s work. An installation for Artwalk ’84 at The University of Toronto offers an archway made of heavy wooden uprights, on which rests a boat woven from branches. Underlying much of his more recent work is a response to the damage done to the planet by humanity. A recent painting depicts a landscape scene revealed through the crosshairs of a rifle. Another refers to Goya’s Black painting “Saturn Devouring his Son” by presenting the god in the act of consuming an antique farm wagon.
More recently, Deeter created a piece for the Tree Museum in Gravenhurst which was inspired by the Olmec Heads from the ancient civilization of Mesoamerica. Carved out of Granite, he added many hieroglyphics from our own age, such as the symbols for a phone and Bluetooth, to evoke a sense of timelessness. No doubt, the meeting between nature and technology would appeal to his sensibility.
All this has led to his current fascination for the symbols of our era. His next piece, or series perhaps, will likely revolve around the hieroglyphs of our time.
Flesherton Calling
John Butler
By: Kevin Land
You wouldn’t be off the mark if you wondered if John Butler was involved in every aspect of life in Grey Highlands. At any given time, you might see his name on bylines in the Flesherton Advance or South Grey News in matters pertaining to local news or history. You might find it attached to the many causes he is involved with in our community - serving on the committees for Climate Action, Peace, and Grey County Cares. He might be giving talks on these and other subjects dear to his heart, such as improving implementation of social support services in Ontario via the civic communities movement.
It shouldn’t come as a shock then, to learn that the first book John published reflected many of these interests. “House of Refuge: Grey County’s Home For ‘Poor, Old and Friendless Folk’, published in 2021 by Ginger Press, describes the daily goings-on at the newly-opened building from 1904-7, as witnessed by one of its residents, Frederick Gee. Butler admired Gee and the way he seemed to rise above the unfortunate events that led him to become destitute and a prime candidate for the residence. He had been a failed farmer and later, while working on constructing the local railroad line, he became injured. In an era when people’s misfortunes were generally perceived as something of their own creation, Gee met the challenges he faced with a kind of dignity and humour, and this was evident as he told the stories of his fellow residents in a weekly column of the “Markdale Standard” and the “Flesherton Advance”. Although he never put his name to the columns, eventually his identity was discovered and he became something of a local celebrity. Visiting Day at the “House of Refuge” had always been something special, but it grew in popularity along with Frederick Gee, and those who came frequently brought local apples and other gifts to show their appreciation.
I asked John about how he came to choose the subject of his book. It all began after he retired as a health service planner, having worked at the Queen Street Mental Health Centre, the Ministry of Health, as the Executive Director of the Association of District Health Councils of Ontario, and finally as President of the Agora Group, a consulting firm designed to help organizations create pragmatic change. In 2014, John and his wife June moved to Grey Highlands full-time. “I wanted to learn as much as I could about local history and decided to read every article in the local newspaper in a given year. I chose 1905 because it was the last ‘Golden Year’ before the first World War. There was no war on the horizon, the period was economically prosperous, and everything was full of promise.”
During his research at the Grey Highlands Public Library, he discovered the delightful columns penned by Frederick Gee, and he knew there was a book there. So, he collected them, and now an otherwise forgotten piece of local history has been brought to light.
John Butler can often be found at the Flesherton Market selling his book on Saturdays through the summer, as well as those of other local authors. “Speaking Volumes Books and Audio” in Markdale will be expanding the work of local authors in our store starting in February and we are pleased to have John’s “House of Refuge” on our shelf.
Art Is Love
Introducing Carolyn Graziani
By: Roger Tumminieri
Welcome to the first in a series of profiles on my new favourite artist, Carolyn Graziani.
Carolyn lives in Toronto and has a cabin in Singhampton, Grey County. I came across her work on Instagram and was immediately moved by her subjects: Toronto Neighbourhoods and various locales throughout Midwestern Ontario.
Stay tuned for highlights of her work or in the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press and Hello Country Magazine.
Flesherton Calling
Markdale Answers
By: Kevin Land
Those who know me personally, or are familiar with my Speaking Volumes Facebook page, will know that I have long held a dream of being an investigative journalist. In this report, after months of living on corn dogs and cold coffee, my goal has finally reached fruition and I am ready to break a local story of unrivalled significance. It is a longstanding tale of lethal contempt, quietly lingering under the surface of daily life in our community, akin to the enmity held by the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Montagues and Capulets, and the two sides of the American Civil War. It threatens to destroy the very fabric of life here in Grey County and turn it into a neighbourhood party run by the Black Donnellys.
I am speaking, of course, of the deep disdain held by the residents of Markdale for those of Flesherton, and vice versa. The origin of the resentment between the two communities remains unclear. It is generally believed to have begun in the 1930’s when a pair of octogenarians, one from each village, came to blows after a heated altercation during a quilting bee over colour and fabric choice. The disagreement escalated, with all involved taking sides and culminating in a ceremonial burning of the quilt prior to the Fall Fair.
The fallout from this incident has been horrific, with Markdale residents being viewed as dull bureaucratic types whose idea of excitement is watching a documentary entitled “Great Moments in Lawn Bowling”, while Flesherton is filled with artsy-fartsy ex-hippies glued to the faded sofas on their
front porch. Certainly, we’ve all heard the jokes:
Q: How did the Markdalian break his leg while raking leaves?
A: He fell out of the tree.
Q: How many Fleshertonians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: None. It’ll be daylight in seven hours.
Over the years, this relationship settled into a kind of veiled hostility, but the time has come to break this impasse. Therefore, to extend an olive branch, I have decided to move my bookstore from Flesherton to Markdale. Starting October 1, “Speaking Volumes Books and Audio” will be located at 42 Main St in Markdale, formerly Markdale Computers.
There will be those who are reading this column who might think that it is nothing more than a blatant attempt at self-promotion to generate business, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It is merely designed as an instrument of healing, and if going into the bookstore and buying a book helps that process, so be it. Before long, that nasty quilting bee business will be long forgotten, and the two communities will come together and work toward a harmonious future, a book firmly in place under each arm.
For those who may be wondering “Will the column still be called ‘Flesherton Calling’?”, the answer is an emphatic “Yes!”. After all, what better way is there to show the unity between the two formerly alienated populaces?
Besides, I think the little old lady from Flesherton at that quilting bee was right about the colour choice.
Arts & Culture
2023 Arts & Culture Edition Cover Story Featuring Carolyn Graziani
By: Roger Tumminieri
I’ve always had an affinity for Toronto neighbourhoods. Growing up in the city (Agincourt, to be exact), I developed a passion for the uniqueness and diversity of every distinct pocket of Toronto - which is effectively a city of neighbourhoods.
I’ve been ‘Supporting Local’ with my work since 2015 when I started the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press (even before that, if I take into account the first magazine I published back in 2006 for West Queen West) and have carried that passion with me ever since.
After moving from Long Branch in South Etobicoke to the village of Flesherton in Grey Highlands, I began to view our new country communities through that same lens - seeking the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between places like Meaford and Thornbury, Southampton and Duntroon, and even Markdale and Collingwood.
How happy was I when I stumbled upon Carolyn Graziani’s social media accounts:
Instagram: @totesplustoronto
Facebook: @totes+toronto
Her illustrations of Toronto neighbourhoods and locales across Grey-Bruce-Simcoe struck a chord with me. So much so, I was inspired to profile a collection of her work as the feature story in this month’s Arts & Culture edition.
If you’re a fan of locally-inspired art, consider ordering a print featuring your own town or neighbourhood.
All work credited to Artist: Carolyn Graziani
Design
Arjan is a graphic designer with over 25 years of experience working in the Toronto advertising world. Originally raised in Owen Sound, Arjan and his family left the Big Smoke in 2020 and built a home in Priceville. With a passion for conversation, Arjan loves connecting with local businesses to capture the heart and purpose behind each brand. Need some help getting clear on your logo and branding? Arjan’s your guy! He can create postcards, stationary, flyers for mail-outs, tradeshow banners, vehicle design wraps, real estate/construction site signs, as well as online assets for social media, magazine ads, and websites. Arjan loves working with people to see their vision come to life! In his free time, you’ll find Arjan cycling the stunning landscape of Grey County and tending to his homestead with his wife, Allison, and their two daughters. They host guests at their air bnb “Kinfolk Cabin” and love introducing folks to the many incredible businesses in the area!
ARJAN HAAK DESIGN
(647) 262-1593
