The sun is up this Sunday morning and we are looking forward to a beautiful and fun time at today's 'Greens & Woods Golf Tournament' at Port Hope Golf and Country Club. We'd like to offer a huge thank you to each person who has committed time to making this event happen and support us through the day (there are some surprises yet to unfold). Thank you also to our hole sponsors and to our signature sponsor, Cameco.

We'll post some photos here and at our Facebook group (Green Wood Coalition) after the fun dies down.

Recently, a message of hope was brought to Port Hope, at an evening hosted by Green Wood Coalition, at St. Mark’s Parish Hall.  Greg Paul, a founder of the Sanctuary community in Toronto, spoke about building a place where street involved folks can find safety, dignity, joy, family, and an opportunity to give back to society. 

From its beginnings as a few musicians chatting with street people, Sanctuary grew to its current community of around 600, with a staff of 18 who are dedicated to building a foundation in those whose lives have been decimated by misfortune.  A drop-in for those who live in the street, in shelters or other temporary and precarious arrangements creates a place where folks can gather, share meals, make art, work, and feel at home.   

The most powerful and hopeful theme that recurred throughout Greg’s presentation, was that people who have a lot, need people who don’t have a lot, just as much as those who don’t have, need those who do.

When one participant remarked to Greg, “You are a very special person, to do this work," Greg countered that we are all made for this relationship building, connecting with our neighbours, and caring for each other.  He relayed how important it is for stakeholders to come and be served by the street involved people, to visit and get to know some of the individuals who are part of the community at the drop-in. 

Remarkably, Sanctuary is largely funded by private donation.  This allows the organization to operate without the usual slavish dependence on grant formulas that become narrowly driven number goals.  When asked “What does success mean to your organization?”, Greg responded that the goals are measured by the stories of individuals who have found some healthy connection to others in their lives, relationships that allow them to receive and express care, and proficiency in areas such as art-making, cooking, organizing and assisting with day-to-day operations.

Green Wood Coalition is striving to build that kind of community here in Port Hope, and the efforts of a group of local people from very different walks of life is growing, as the hope spreads. 

-Heather Roy, Port Hope

It's the end of an era in downtown Port Hope as Mel Talbot and Jamie Talbot close up business at Randall's Office Supplies on Walton St.  Their businesses in Cobourg and Trenton will continue to offer the same friendly, knowledgeable service that the Port Hope location was known for. As Mel and Jamie were dismantling the store today, one of the last things they took care of was a generous donation of art supplies to the Green Wood Creative Arts Group. Thank you so much, guys, and best wishes for what comes next.

As the growing season approaches, we are able to offer several, individual rental plots in our community garden on Peter Street in Port Hope. A small number of these 4' X 8' raised beds will be available to members of the public for a low annual fee, and agreement with our shared values.

Our garden is a place that encourages:
1.     Enjoyment of the outdoors and Creation.
2.    Making of friendships.
3.    Building of community spirit.
4.    Physical connection to the land.
5.    Learning about natural, sustainable growing methods.
6.    Planting, tending and harvesting of food crops.
7.    Sharing of fresh, healthy vegetables.
8.    Satisfying, rewarding labour.
9.    Respect for one another and for nature.
10.  Celebration whenever possible.
11.  Enjoyment of the outdoors and Creation.

The Green Wood garden is one piece of a larger community initiative that provides shoulder-to-shoulder support for individuals and families who are living with issues related to poverty. Our site is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Tiffany Wolters of Ganaraska Animal Clinic, and her husband, Doug Wolters.

In the midst of doing what we do, we're always exploring new and interesting ways of improving what we do. This week we had the opportunity to visit two innovative projects in the heart of Toronto.

The Stop is a leader in the Community Food Centres movement that "strives to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality".

Sketch creates opportunities for young people living street involved, homeless or otherwise on the margins, to experience the transformative power of the arts. They're in the process of moving into a new location that's part of an  innovative project by Artscape. Incidentally, The Stop's Wychwood Barns location that we visited is also a collaboration with Artspace.

The reviews are in and Saturday's IMAGINATE: An Evening of Possibility was a great success, all around. Nearly 200 were in attendance for a celebration of engaging ideas, positive community energy, surprising art, and local delectables. Here's what audience members are saying:

"Thank you for bringing IMAGINATE to life. On the way home i wondered how to share the night with more people. Let me know how i can help "take it to the street". -R.B.

"Thank you so much – it was lovely and you did an amazing job!!" -M.B.

"The video with Victoria was particularly moving" -M.M.

"The reception  was filled with conversation and goodwill -- a very fine evening all around." -B.C.

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful evening full of creative people and their ideas.It was a real pleasure-filled evening." -C.S.

"As with virtually everything the Green Wood community takes on, it was exceedingly successful and I believe it left everyone feeling inspired. Victoria's film was a stunning highlight among an entire night of top-notch work." -D.N.

"I really enjoyed each speaker and what they contributed. Each dynamic, informative and constructive. There is no limit to being mindfully creative with any pursuit we engage in." -S.W.

"Attended IMAGINATE, swung into gear by putting 10 jars of marmalade up... mmmmm." -P.G.

Many thanks are in order for what happened at IMAGINATE. From the financial support of Cameco, to Trinity College School for sharing their beautiful venue, the engaging presenters, the amazing volunteers who worked behind the scenes, and the in-kind provisions of the following local businesses, it was a great collaborative effort.

Black Beans Steakhouse & Lounge
The Waddell
The Publican House Brewery
Huff Estates Winery
Holton Flowers
Ganaraska Art & Framing
Atomic Coffee
Kingsholm Farms
Queenies Bake Shop
Cravingz Port Hope

Tonight promises to be a memorable night as a cast of diverse characters take their passions to the stage at Trinity College School in Port Hope. Tickets will be available at the door. Online tickets and directions to the venue at greenwoodcoalition.com/imaginate Doors open at 7:00 pm, start time is 7:30 pm. Delicious food, drink and conversation to follow.

Many thanks to our sponsor, Cameco, and to the volunteers and local businesses who make IMAGINATE possible.

A beautiful story will be told at Saturday's IMAGINATE: An Evening of Possibility, when the short film 'Victoria' is screened for the first time. It's a story of life in all it's colours, lived through the days of one woman. The darkness and the light that has brought Victoria to our community.

Equally fascinating is the story of how this little film came to be. How Rob Quartly, Juno Award-winning director of music videos for Rush, Platinum Blonde and Corey Hart, collaborated with Ron Baxter Smith, whose photographs have appeared in GQ, Vanity Fair, Vogue and New York Times Magazine . How space and gear were made available to shoot this real-life epic. How Victoria overcame her fear, one step at a time.

This film and so much more will be on tap for an amazing evening at Trinity College School. Saturday, February 15, 7:30 pm.