"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Sunday 26 October 2014

The Haunted Forest

I had to choose last night between  fundraiser hymn sing at Our Lady if Grace church for re-building the United Church and the Haunted Forest at Sheppard's  Bush.

I went to the Haunted Forest. Î hope there will be another fund-raiser at the church for the other church.

Cheyenne and Abigail and  Emma were to come  with me to the Haunted Forest.
They live in Innisfil. They can't just come round and ride on my scooter. So, as often happens, it didn't. I met Heather and Andy and Adam and Keenan there instead.

We went around twice. When it was light and a second time in the dark.

It was the perfect night in the perfect place. The woods themselves are spooky. Trees stretch high, with long straight limbs, bare branches have dropped their leaves to carpet the ground and long fallen timbers are scattered at  various angles in disorder.

Carved  pumpkin heads, hundreds of them,outlining paths,each unique and carved  by Boy Scouts of Aurora .

Ghosties  and Ghoulies prowled and loomed suddenly from  the shadows.Zombies struggled and clawed ,to rise from the earth. Screams and blood-curdling cries rang out through the night.

A  huge bonfire built and tended by a town employee  who offered toasted marshmallows on the end of a very long thin stick to whoever might fancy  or wish to risk the same

The Optimist Club. was there to provide hot food and drinks for thousands who attended while
at the same time raising funds to donate back for youth in the community.

The Marque Theatre and Aurora Children's Theatre were on hand to make the night memorable.
Children's Theatre is part of the town's recreation program.

Line-ups were waiting for the show to begin, families mingling, cameras clicking. No vote was required to endorse the event.

I was glad to be there for something that would not be there if Town of Aurora staff  were not dedicated to public service above and beyond. Hundreds of hours of volunteer service  were provided from almost thirty organizations.  Proudly sponsored by  the Watson Family's  School of Karate?

Shelley Ware and  her teams,together with the community, outdid themselves once again.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Was the choice between which event had the most people (i.e. potential voters) attending?

Anonymous said...

16:14
What a goof - the re-building efforts will continue over time. Haunted Forests are only in the fall and family time is when one can make it work.

Anonymous said...

Uh, 16:14
Councillor Buck is not the only candidate to have enjoyed the Forest. Do try to get over yourself.

Anonymous said...

It was a great evening, wasn't it ?

Anonymous said...

@16:56

You have to admit that Cllr Buck hasn't missed any photo ops recently (even things she voted against!).

Anonymous said...

I was pleasantly surprised that G & G did not try to ban the bonfire as being non-PC.

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile the Banner wants to know about Aurora's Hallowe'en decorations ..............

Anonymous said...

18:45
And you have to admit that it was not Councillor Buck who complained to Snap'd Aurora about the lack of photo coverage.

Heather said...

As the family that Councillor Buck attend the Haunted Forest with, I can assure you it was definitely family time! We had a blast! We have done lots of campaigning over the past few weeks. We actually finished our leaflet dropping last week, so yes we all decided that we should have a little fun! The haunted forest was well done and in the dark even better! The pumpkins lining the paths were fantastic! Lots of families enjoyed the perfect Halloween evening. No campaigning going on there!

Anonymous said...

"Carved pumpkin heads, hundreds of them,outlining paths,each unique and carved by Boy Scouts of Aurora."

I find it sad that a sitting member of council is not aware that a number of these pumpkins are carved by local school volunteers as well. My daughter accumulated a number of volunteer hours over the 4 years in high school by helping Shelley.

Anonymous said...

Oh please, 07:51, spare us.

Why is everyone so ready to be insulted?

Anonymous said...

7:51 Bully for you
Pumpkins are being carved in all the schools for various groups.

Anonymous said...

christopher ?

Anonymous said...

I am confused . It seems that Ballard has endorsed a candidate for mayor. I do hope I am wrong because that might not be ethical or something.

Anonymous said...

To both 10:54s:

Why is everyone so ready to be nasty?

Anonymous said...

Kudos to everyone who was involved - it has become an annual event.