Lately, I have been mentioned in the local Aurora blogosphere a couple of times in August. The topics of Town of Aurora history and politics are where I am being quoted as both a helper and a well reasoned opinionator of local Aurora issues.
First the interesting historical part. Growing up in Aurora I have been around many of the long time Aurora residents who know of days gone by, an avid reader of local newspapers and the book Àurora: A History in Pictures (now out of print but can be found at the Aurora Library). As well, lately I follow several Aurora based blogs including Anna`s Living in Aurora. One entry that caught my eye was Anna`s recounting of her purchasing the aformentioned Aurora: A History in Pictures only to find an old photograph stuck inside the book. She wondered about the photo in the book. Chris Watts' weighed in pointing out that David Heard who regularly attends the Aurora Farmer`s Market may help as he has done quite a bit of historical Aurora research for his gig overseeing A Step in Time which provides walking tours of historical Aurora as well as pointing out that the man in the photo was possibly a relation to the former Knowles Butcher shop that used to be on Wellington Street in Aurora.
I responded two times. At first I was thinking of the name "Knowles Crescent" and thought it could be the person the street was named after. As well, I suggested a few locals who are into history in Aurora who could shed some light on the topic. After clicking the ``submit`` button a thought popped into mind. I leafed through my copy of Aurora: a History in Pictures and stopped on the photo of old Wells Street School. There was the man in the photo, J.H. Knowles the principal. The principal`s face matched the man in the photo perfectly. I suggested to Anna, in another comment on her blog posting that she contact Bob McRoberts as I remember somehow he was a relation to J.H. Knowles (i.e. a man in the photo) and may be able to shed some light on it.
In a follow up posting, Anna, thanked myself, Chris Watts and Bob McRoberts for getting the photo returned to it`s rightful place, J.H. Knowles' descendants, Bob McRoberts himself. I`m glad I could help Anna both experience Aurora history in real life but also help her learn who some of Aurora`s builders were. As an added bonus, and to drive her crazy a little more about the "Knowles" name in Aurorora, I noted this evening that there are 52 mentions of the Knowles family name in the listings of the Aurora Members of Council on the Town of Aurora history.
Meanwhile, over on Chris Watts' blog I happen to be mentioned two times. The first was on my blog`s posting on the ongoing debate about some playground equipment at Confederation Park. Chris uses several excerpts from my posting (Note: I`m honoured Chris quoted my posting) to both question the municipalities` communications department and take my side of the issue that the climber needs to stay and parent`s supervising need to shape up and watch their children better.
Chris Watts` other posting about the arrival of his 2011 edition of the local phone book on his front stoop. Chris linked to my posting when I attempted to auction off the local edition of Goldbook. Chris ruminates about the usefulness of the printed phone book in the age of the internet before coming to the conclusion that "Phonebooks need to be flushed from our wasteful society once and for all."
It has been a very busy couple of weeks in the blogosphere for me lately indeed!
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