Events

Come to Brougham for great food and great company, guaranteed good times with the people of Land over Landings and People or Planes! See poster.

For the sixth year, LOL has revived the tradition of New Year's Dances in the historic Brougham Hall, built in 1853 when Brougham was the thriving centre of Pickering Township. Today the Hall is home to Land Over Landings. It's located just ten minutes north of Highway Two on the east side of Brock Road between Highways 7 and 407.

The mood is relaxed and friendly -- dress up or dress down. Wear your party dress and high heels but be prepared to kick them off and dance to the music of our wonderful DJ! The never-ending buffet will feature hearty home-made soups and stews, appetizers, breads, casseroles, salads, fabulous desserts and a cash bar.

And everything is served on real plates with real cutlery -- no styrofoam or plastic throw-aways. We aim for a 'green' event with an emphasis on local foods, drinks and zero garbage. Party-goers are invited to bring their own noise-makers -- horns, pots & wooden spoons, drums or rattles to welcome the new year in old-style fashion. 

There will be fabulous prizes and raffles, and plenty of laughter away from the hustle and bustle of the glitz and glamour crowd. As one guest wrote last year, "The LOL dance was the highlight of our season! What a wonderful, warm and welcoming bunch of people, great D.J.!  What a great way to bring in the New Year. We will definitely make  this an annual tradition from now on!"

The cost is only $25 per person, and parking is free. Book early to avoid disappointment! 
Call 905-649-2433  to reserve tickets, 905-294-2031 if you wish to donate a prize to the raffle or money to the cause.

For a map and picture of the Hall, go to our Contacts page.

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Newly elected MP Chris Alexander returns to North Pickering to hear residents' questions and ideas re possible uses for the federal lands. Although the Needs Assessment released by the Conservatives in July declared Pickering is "a prime location for an airport", Alexander has personally stated his opposition to an airport. Join Land Over Landings as we present our ideas for wise uses of the land.

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Durham Region Green Drinks NEW LOCATION 
Do you want to meet a lively group of friendly people interested in environmental issues from academia, business, government and NGOs for good conversation? If so, join us for drinks!

There's no agenda or other formality - it's a chance to meet regularly to chat, debate, socialize and connect with other Durham residents passionate about environmental and sustainability issues.

Join us at our new location, On the Rocks, Whitby!

 Click on the Icon below to view the website.

 
The second Wednesday of the month.

For more information, please visit
www.greendrinks.org

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Hosted by Ontario Nature, Ecojustice, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Earthroots, with funding by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, this event provides an opportunity to discuss how well land-use policies are protecting wetlands in the Greenbelt. For full information go to:
Environmental Defence

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The community of Whitevale hosts its annual Spring Festival,  Saturday, May 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the charming heritage  community on the Fifth Concession of Pickering, and enjoy the beer tent & barbecue, live music, children's activities, crafts, book sale and tea garden, antique car show and more, all located in various spots, including the United Church and community park on the banks of the Duffins Creek.

Directions: Exit 401 at Whites Road, north to Taunton (Steeles), west to Altona Road. Take Altona north to the end; at the T-intersection, turn right 200 yards to the park.

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Everyone is invited to review and comment on the City of Pickering's Natural Environment & Countryside Policy Study Background Review at one of two meetings -- Thursday March 24 at the Pickering Recreation Centre at 7 p.m., or at Brougham Hall, 3545 Brock Road, Tuesday, March 29 at 7p.m.

Consultants and city staff will provide an overview and seek comments on the draft official plan amendment to update city-wide natural environment and countryside policies. For further information, contact Steve Gaunt at sgaunt@cityofpickering.com or 905-420-4660 x 2033.

The full plan can be viewed at: Official Plan

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Come to Brougham for great food and great company, guaranteed good times with the people of Land over Landings and People or Planes! See flyer.

For the fifth year, LOL has revived the tradition of New Year's Dances in the historic Brougham Hall, built in 1853 when Brougham was the thriving centre of Pickering Township. Today the Hall is home to Land Over Landings. It's located just ten minutes north of Highway Two on the east side of Brock Road between Highways 7 and 407.

The mood is relaxed and friendly -- dress up or dress down. Wear your party dress and high heels but be prepared to kick them off and dance to the music of our wonderful DJ! The never-ending buffet will feature hearty home-made soups and stews, appetizers, breads, casseroles, salads, fabulous desserts and a cash bar.

And everything is served on real plates with real cutlery -- no styrofoam or plastic throw-aways. We aim for a 'green' event with an emphasis on local foods, drinks and zero garbage. Party-goers are invited to bring their own noise-makers -- horns, pots & wooden spoons, drums or rattles to welcome the new year in old-style fashion. 

There will be fabulous prizes and raffles, and plenty of laughter away from the hustle and bustle of the glitz and glamour crowd. As one guest wrote last year, "The LOL dance was the highlight of our season! What a wonderful, warm and welcoming bunch of people, great D.J.!  What a great way to bring in the New Year. We will definitely make  this an annual tradition from now on!"

The cost is only $25 per person, and parking is free. Book early to avoid disappointment!
905-683-5929.

For a map and picture of the Hall, go to our Contacts page.

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The purpose of this project is to encourage humanity to support locally grown food through the worldwide circulation of an aerial picture of a large, colorful dinner plate formed by 400 people in a field.

We are inviting you to join 399 people to form the symbol of a large dinner plate. Within the plate a text will read, “eat local”. On either side of the plate a knife, fork and spoon will be formed, also by people standing together. As you stand together looking up, a hang glider will fly a photographer over you three times to capture the image that we will circulate worldwide. See full details.

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A free event for the entire family.

Meet the people who provide the food we eat, learn about their farms and buy local produce!

Presentations and Traditional Recipes
Sample the Food
Ask Questions
Learn to eat fresh and healthy
Help lower your carbon foot print

Refreshments!
Coffee generously provided by:
Velvet Sunrise Coffee Roasters Of Stouffville
Don’t forget to bring your own re-usable coffee cup for your free cup of coffee!

For more information Call 905 649 9081

Participants Include: Brooks Farm, Harmony Tree Farm,

Cooper’s CSA, Siloam Orchards, Radford’s Honey, Mast Creek Produce, D & W Cooper, Twinkleberry Farm, Willo Wind Farm

F.N. Happy Farm, Purple Tomato, Rollinghills Farm, Zephyr Organics, Farmhouse Organics, Musthaven Farms

Assistance From: Community Food Advisors, Durham Food Policy Council

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Billed as a family-friendly event, Stop the Stink rally organizers invite everyone to come out and "show you are proud to make Pickering a better community". See full details.

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Planning for the Queen's Park Rally, organized by Durham CLEAR (Citizens Lobby for Environmental Awareness and Responsibility Inc.) on May 13th is taking shape. Buses will be provided without charge. They will be leaving from convenient assembly points in Durham Region about 9:30 am and returning about 2 pm. We need as many people as possible to attend - we will not turn anyone away, however our bussing cost per seat is about $7. For full details visit http://www.durhamclear.ca/

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Climate Change Forum for stakeholders in the Greater Toronto Area. The purpose of the Forum is to achieve increased understanding and awareness on climate changes issues and highlight the opportunities to implement best energy efficiency practices to reduce carbon footprint among GTA-based stakeholders. For full details on speakers, workshops and how to register, visit http://www.oceta.on.ca/workshops/ClimateChange-March2010/

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Land Over Landings will be participating in the Second Annual Environmental Leadership Forum Saturday, March 6th -- a free day of training and networking.
www.sustainablepickering.com (see attached)

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Land Over Landings members are urged to show their support for the Markham Foodbelt proposal by attending a crucial Markham Foodbelt Meeting on Tuesday February  16, 2010, 7 p.m.,  at Markham Council Chambers on Highway Seven, just west of Warden. (Note: our regular monthly meeting will be changed to allow us all to go.)

LOL members are reminded that a large chunk of the proposed foodbelt is in the federal airport reserve, and any decisions made for these lands will have a major impact on future decisions regarding the 'airport lands'. We must work together with Councillors Burke and Shapero, who are spearheading the movement towards stopping the sprawl.

Bring family, friends and neighbors to the meeting and arrive early so developers and their friends do not fill all the seats, and in the meantime to use email, phone and contact network to build support for the Markham Foodbelt.

A huge public turn-out on February 16th and massive email campaign to Mayor Scarpitti and Council will be necessary to counteract development pressures.

Please visit www.protectmarkham.wordpress.com for additional information. Or contact Teema Kanji (905-477-7000, ext. 4480; growth@markham.ca) for details on the meeting. Information is also available at the Town of Markham's webpage: http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Departments/NewsCentre/PubMtg/100216_PIM_growthstrategy.htm 

Below is a sample email to Mayor and Council. Feel free to write as individuals or as members of Land Over Landings.

c/o kkitteringham@markham.ca  (Town Clerk) and
Mayor fscarpitti@markham.ca

Dear Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Markham Councillors:

We at Land Over Landings applaud the efforts of Markham Council to permanently protect Markham's remaining rural land as a Markham Foodbelt and Natural Heritage System within the Greenbelt.

Your efforts mirror our work to protect the Class A agricultural land on the federal airport preserve, a portion of which lies within Markham's boundaries. They also echo the world-wide recognition of the looming crisis of vanishing farmland. Whereas approximately 60% of Markham is already within the urban envelope, this action is both visionary and simple common sense. To protect Markham's quality of life, sustainability and future -- and indeed the foodland security of the entire GTA, we must permanently protect our remaining foodlands and natural areas.  

Sincerely, Name, Address, Contact Info

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NEW YEAR'S DANCE GOES GREEN!!

Land Over Landings will again host an old-fashioned community New Year's Eve Dance in Brougham, but this year with a new twist!

In addition to the usual dancing to a DJ, wonderful food, cash bar and fabulous raffle prizes, we will be aiming for a 100-mile diet and an eco-friendly, zero garbage event!

Food will be home-made and guaranteed delicious, beer and wine will come from southern Ontario breweries and vintners. And guests will be encouraged to bring their own noisemakers, just as many of our Scots ancestors used to do when celebrating Hogmanay. We'll rattle spoons and cups, drum on pots, blow on horns. No need for plastic and foil that ends up in garbage dumps!

Come meet the folks that make up Land Over Landings and enjoy rural hospitality; support a worthy cause while dancing and laughing in the new year.

Buy your tickets early as space will be limited in the historic Brougham Hall. Tickets are $25 per person and may be reserved by calling 905-683-5929.

See flyer.

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Everyone is Welcome

There will be a special meeting specifically concerning the Seaton development, to be held on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Whitevale Community Centre (on Whitevale Road, just east of the T-intersection at Altona).

Please attend to learn about the current status of the many issues pertaining to the vast development of Seaton.

If you are new/unaware, this urban development will nearly double the population of Pickering!   ...like a city the size of Peterborough, being established all around us, roughly bounded by:
north - Highway 7
south - Taunton Rd.
east - Brock Rd.
west -  hamlet of Whitevale

Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley, who is a member of the Seaton Advisory Committee, will provide details about the Seaton development. As well, you'll be able to ask questions, and voice your concerns.

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Land Over Landings
will be a featured display at the
Dunbarton and Regional Chef's Challenge

On Wednesday, November 25th, from 5:30pm - 9:00pm Dunbarton will be hosting the first annual community culinary exhibition (http://www.dunbarton.ddsbschools.ca/). Participating chefs will be asked to showcase their talents and creativity by using the fine produce of our local farmers. Not only will you be able to view these chefs in action but for a small fee, you can taste the best they have to offer, all while being entertained by local musicians! The Challenge will be adjudicated by three guest chefs of note and the awards ceremony will round out the evening.

The Dunbarton Chef's Challenge is being supported by the City of Pickering and the Region of Durham under its local Travel & Tourism and Economic Development Program.

"This event will build awareness and bridges between local chefs and the agricultural community and will definitely benefit the community as a whole, " says Chef Philippe Trepanier, CCC,  Culinary Consultant and Facilitator.

Tickets are available at the front foyer of the school daily from 8:30am - 12:00 noon at a cost of $5 per person.  Only a limited number of tickets are available.

Numerous Regional and Local Councillors will be in attendance along with nationally and internationally recognized chefs. 

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Land Over Landings will be participating in
Pickering Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley's

Annual Open House for the Environment

The Open House will run from 10 am - 1pm, Saturday October 17th at Petticoat Creek Community Centre, 470 Kingston Road.  

This year's keynote speakers are Eric Novak, Chex TV personality and Durham's only Climate Change presenter personally trained by Al Gore. 
Also, Rick Smith, Executive Director, Environmental Defence and Co-Author of the best seller "Slow Death by Rubber Ducky" will discuss Ontario Greenbelt Alliance's new report "Places to Sprawl - Municipal Conformity with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe”

Durham Region has not got a very good review considering the urban expansion recommended in their conformity plans for the Places to Grow Act. In Pickering, the Pickering East "whitebelt lands" (aka Carruthers Creek headwaters) have been recommended for development. Yes, it will be a tad contentious, but that makes it more interesting!

Great for Students to check out volunteer opportunities, PLUS get informed about their community!

We'll have some great prizes to draw this year too! And of course LOCAL FOOD!

Last year's participants:
Altona Forest Public School - Eco-Award
City of Pickering
- Interactive model of Downtown (We're identified as an Urban Growth Centre in the Provincial Growth Plan)
- Environmental Programs displays
Dunbarton High School - Eco Award, Environment Club
Durham Region Food Charter display
Durham SustainAbility
Durham West Arts Centre
Environmental Stewardship Pickering
(City, OPG, TRCA & Community partnership)
Friends of the Rouge Watershed
The Greenbelt Foundation
Girls' Inc.
Heritage Pickering
Land Over Landings
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
Ontario Farmland Trust
Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
Valley Plentiful Community Garden, Pickering
Whitby/Ajax Community Garden and The Communal Garden Project

And we'll be adding to the list this year with Ontario Greenbelt Alliance and Environmental Defence, Durham Region Roundtable on Climate Change and the NEW Food Security Working Group... 

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The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) invite you to the first annual Claremont Archaeology Festival on Sunday June 7th at the Claremont Field Centre on Westney Road north of Concession 7 (appr. 2 km. north of Greenwood).

Sunday’s festivities will encourage the public of all ages to actively participate in:
-    an archaeological excavation of an 1870’s era homestead of local blacksmith George Graham -    participation/observation of "experimental archaeology" including fire-making kits, basswood      bark twine/nets, hide tanning, stone tool manufacture versus blacksmithing
-    guided hikes to discover the plants gathered for food, medicines and resources by past              peoples, as well as a walk through an old mill complex
-    Victorian carriage rides through some of the 400 acre property of Claremont
-    musicians including a women’s hand drum group from Curve Lake First Nation, plus a fiddler      with accompanying pennywhistle player
-    browse local craft and food vendors in the theme of history, as well as Aboriginal skills and          crafts .

Saturday June 6th will provide on extra opportunity specifically for those who are interested in their local history, conservation in archaeology, landscape archaeology and our stewardship program.  An opportunity for organizations to excavate at the Graham House site will also be offered for groups who are interested on June 6th.

We expect that this fair will generate further interest in the exciting field of archaeology and related historical endeavours, educate the public of the value of cultural heritage festivities and the need for increased efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage landscapes within our modern communities.

The Claremont Archaeology Festival will be a great way to jointly celebrate and protect southern Ontario’s heritage!

Please visit www.boydfieldschool.org/festival/ for more information or call 416-661-6600 ext. 6417 to register for this event!

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The picturesque Hamlet of Whitevale celebrates its 37th annual Spring Festival on Saturday May 23. Based in the WhitevalePark, south side of Concession Five in the Heritage District of Whitevale, the special focus of this year's festival is the 187-year-old church. Tours of the church will take place all day, as visitors are encourage to join efforts to save the handsome heritage structure for future use by the community. The 1885 Gothic Revival Church is currently up for sale.

Visit the park, the library and stroll the charming side streets to experience the look and feel of times gone by. Your guides will tell stories of Whitevale's colourful; history, its buildings and inhabitants.

The park will be filled with family fun, vendors, food concessions and a beer tent.Take your family on a hike through the trillium-clad oak and pine forest on the banks of the Duffins Creek and enjoy a beautiful day of old-fashioned family fun in a beautiful setting.

ENJOY!

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