Speaker Schedule

Senior Park Naturalist, Sibbald Point Provincial Park

"Sibbald Point at a Glance"

Explore the stories that shaped Sibbald Point Provincial Park during this talk on the Sibbald family and history of the property. The Sibbalds owned the estate (1835-1951) that would become Sibbald Point Provincial Park; and left behind artifacts, stories, and legacies that remain today. Join us as we look at the personalities, social values, and events that influenced the history this corner of Lake Simcoe.

Laura McClintock is the Senior Park Naturalist at Sibbald Point Provincial Park. She has worked for Ontario Parks for twelve years and started in her role at Sibbald Point in 2021. Laura has a background in interpretation and environmental education, having worked for organizations such as the YMCA, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the Humber Arboretum.

Laura oversees the Discovery department at Sibbald Point, which is composed of a team of naturalists that provide visitors with interpretive programming from May-October, and school programs throughout the year. She manages Eildon Hall Museum and the park’s Discovery Centre. Outside of interpretation, she assists with resource management projects at both Sibbald Point and Holland Landing Prairie Provincial Park. As an interpreter, Laura is passionate about connecting people to places through the history and natural features of the land we live and play on. Laura spends her free time visiting historic sites, hiking, travelling, and enjoying a good book or knitting project.

"A Century of famous movies"

An entertaining, multimedia, audience participation presentation showcasing the greatest movies of the past century. 

Rob Smythe was a secondary school teacher of science, mathematics, computer science, and music, with a special fondness for physics. He has written several textbooks, including the astronomy unit for Ontario Grade 9 science, and six novels that, he says, few people have read. He has performed in such musical stage productions as Damn Yankees, West Side Story, and The Marriage of Figaro. He has directed close to a dozen high school musicals, and conducted bands and choirs. He is an enthusiastic movie lover, enjoying thrillers, musicals, mysteries, historical epics, and science fiction.

Rob has hosted multimedia presentations to audiences in venues ranging from homes, to auditoriums, to cruise ships, and during COVID, on Zoom. He invites you to join him with a nostalgic, entertaining look at the most influential movies of the past century.

"Views from the Edge of the Earth"

For several years, my concern for the state of our planet has both driven and inspired my artwork. Views from the Edge of the Earth weaves poetic reflections with black-and-white images of my art and photography to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and remind us of what’s at stake. The muted tones of the book’s imagery enhance its message about habitat loss and species that are disappearing far too quickly.

This presentation is perfect for those who love poetry, art, and nature—or anyone who cares about the future of our shared home.

Wendie will have her book for sale at our meeting. Her short stories and poetry have been published in magazines and in poetry and literary collections, and her short essay, Mother Earth, won gold in Art Ascent Magazine.

FROM AMAZON BOOKS:

In Views from the Edge of the Earth, Donabie shares the beauty, the joy and, at times, the pain she experiences in living every day. Written in a simple, straightforward style, the poetry collection begins with a dire vision but ends with a message of hope. Some entries may cause you to think differently, others may simply bring a smile to your face.
Complementing the writing, Donabie shares black and white images of her paintings and photography. Views from the Edge of the Earth is printed in black with buff paper adding a more dramatic feeling to the poetic musings. For the e-Book version, Donabie chose colour to share the diverse beauty she paints and photographs as a further reminder of what we are losing every day.
 

“Donabie skilfully balances her artistry and her message, celebrating the glorious majesty of Mother Earth against dire warnings of her peril. The poetry is lush, powerful, and compelling. Not only will you immerse in the beauty of the experience, but it will have you seeing and thinking about the world in new and wonderful ways. The stunning artwork and photography deepen the journey.” - Cindy Watson, award-winning and best-selling author of The Art of Feminine Negotiation and Out of Darkness – The Jeff Healey Story.