From Hamilton
Ontario
Rev.
John C. Holland Awards:
(From politics to athletes and fund-raising, winners exhibit
examplary skills and deep community involvement). A colour photo by
Scott Gardner shows 9 winners!
Sharon Nwamadi, winner of the Evelyn Myrie Bursary
Jordan Mathurin, winner of the Audre Lorde Scholarship
Chigwe Worenwu, winner of the Marlene Thomas Scholarship
Kayonne Christy, winner of the Lincoln Alexander Scholarship
Joelsa Domingos, winner of the Nelson Mandela Scholarship
Vivica Letang, wiinner of the Rev. George Horton Scholarship
Alec Purnell, winner of the Raymond G. Lewis Scholarship
Angelique DeSouza, winner of the Dr. Ethilda Johnson Bursary
Kudakwashe Chakanyuka, winner of the YWCA Scholarship
The Rev. John C. Holland Awards were established to celebrate the
rich cultural heritage of our community ~ with a particular focus on
the contributions of African Canadians to the social, economic and
cultural ife of our entire city.
'Cemetery
Guy' Honoured With Award ~
Robin McKee is 'the man' regarding our buried history.
Mathew Van Dongen from the Hamilton Spectator writes: “The
ceremony was hosted by a comedian, but Robin McKee vied for the
biggest laugh as he accepted a lifetime achievement honour at the
Hamilton Heritage Day Awards. The historian and storyteller ~ who
proudly refers to himself as 'the cemetery guy' had
a rquest of fellow history buffs who might some day follow in his
footsteps as a tombstone tour guide.
I will be buried in Hamilton Cemetery. It's where I
do my thing, my bliss, he
said at a packed Hamilton City Hall ceremony ~ his trembling voice
just short of tears. (Then he waited a beat.) So, for
future cemeteries tour guides, put me on the tour.
McKee earned both laughter and accolades along with his award
named for beloved historian Reverend T. Melville Bailey.
McKee is a historian, author, Sir John A. Macdonald Society chair
and restorer of old Hamilton architecture ~ but he is best-known for
his love affair with history buried in Hamilton's Burlington Heights
cemetery. He's already bought his future plot in 'section Q.'
Local comedian David Brennan recalled trying to follow the
indefatigable award winner around on a past tour. “I couldn't even
keep up with him...he was running around the cemetery like a 15-year
old boy.” (He has a wealth of stories about locals, whose demises
could tell many tales.)
Upon invitation, Robin McKee attended a Rotary Club breakfast meeting
in Waterdown
and throroughly entertained us with his knowledge, his wisdom and
humour.
From Guelph ~ Man Faces More Charges of Sexual, Physical Assault:
Police say a traditional Chinese medicine praactitioner and
acupuncturist charged last year in a sex-assault investigation now
faces ten more charges. In addition to four more counts of sexual
assault, Sherman Lai faces charges of assault with a weapon and
uttering death threats. Lai, 58, practised at the Center of
Integrative Natural Medicine in Guelph for over 20 years, and moved
his practice to nearby Morriston about six years ago. He was charged
with sexual assault against a former patient in October.
More former patients brought allegations of sexual assault to police
in the months that followed and additional charges were brought
against Lai in November and again in January. Police ssy the most
recent charges involve three additional victims, all of whom had been
patients.
From
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Ottawa adds Indigenous Name to P.E.I Park:
A national park in Prince Edward Island that bears the name of a
controversial British general will be renamed. Parks Canada
confirmed Friday that it will add a Mi'kmaq
name, “skmaqn” (pronounced Ska-Maa-kin)
to the Porte-la-Joye ~ Fort Amherst National Historic Site which is
near Charlottetown.
Indigenous critics have long
complained that General Jeffery Amherst's name should be removed
because he stands accused of trying to wipe out the Mi'kmaq
by giving them blankets infected with smallpox. Several places in the
U.S. and Canada including Amherst, Nova Scotia and Amherstburg,
Ontario bear his name.
From
New York, United States
Michelle Obama Memoir Coming in November:
One of her most highly anticipated books in recent years is coming
out November 13. The former 'first lady' tweeted that the book to
come out a week after the 2018 midterm elections, is called
“Becoming.”
By Sunday night, her memoir was in the top 20 on Amazon.com.
“Writing Becoming
has been a deeply personal experience,” she said. “It has
allowed me, for the very first time, the space to honestly reflect on
the unexpected trajactory of my life.
“In this book, I talk about my roots and how a little girl from the
south side of Chicago found her voice and developed the strength to
use it to empower others. I hope my journey inspires readers to find
the courage to become whoever they aspire to be.”
Travelling
the World with Alessia Cara
An abbreviated extract from The Hamilton Spectator
(written by Graham Rockingham)
For the past three years, Stoney Creek's Eric Ruscinski has been
playing guitar
and keyboards for the Grammy-winning singer.
Eric Ruscinski was driving home to Stoney Creek after making a few
extra bucks giving guitar lessons in Oakville. He was tired and
frustrated with the direction his career was heading ~ nowhere!
A friend was on the phone pestering him to go to a Canadian
Music Week music showcase in Toronto. Hang out...see some
friends...make a few connections. Ruscinski reached the Guelph Line
before giving in...turning his car around...and heading to the
Revival Bar on College Street.
Opportunity Knocked!
He doesn't remember who was playing at the club that night, but
he'll never forget meeting an industry 'bigwig' named Chris Smith.
(Smith had launched Nelly Furtado's career and was now managing
another young 'up and comer' by the name of Alessia Cara.) Alyssia's
band was in need of someone who could play guitar and keyboards. The
next day, Ruscinski was in rehearsal with Alessia. The following
week, he was in New York playing a showcase with her.
He's been by her side ever since ~ playing stadiums across Europe
and North America
with 'Cold Play' ...two Juno Award shows...and all the major
American TV Talk shows
including 'The Ellen Show...Saturday Night Live...and Jimmy
Fallons's Tonight Show.
That chance meeting at the Revival Bar was in early 2015. Alyssia
was just 17. Her break-through hit “Here” was just starting to
hit radio. The Brampton-born singer is now 21 and at the top of the
music world ~ winning recently a Grammy for 'Best New Artist.”
(The one page article with 3 photos appeared Saturday, February 10,
2018),
Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 7, 2018
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