New Blog!

Want to see more Grew's News?  You will need to follow me at the new link below as I have reached my free limit for photos at this site.  You can now follow me at:

http://grewsnews2.blogspot.ca/

All Done!

Tonight Marion made her second appearance on Jeopardy.  She came in second in this semi-final match.  Unfortunately, that meant that she did not advance to the final.  Her family was still very proud of her though.  Way to go Wingler!

Terrific Teacher!

Doing well!

Good-bye Alex!

Volleyball All-Stars!

The Grews were at Regi last night for the city Volleyball All-Star Match-up.  Adrian was selected as one of three players from Frontenac to compete in this fun event.  Many parents were in attendance to watch these highly skilled players have a good time on the court while they showcased their talents!  Go boys!

Frontenac Junior and Senior All-Stars

Adrian jumps for a kill!

City All-Stars

The boys and their coach!

Carter, Adrian and Dylan Shine!

Powerful Women!

On Saturday morning I joined the participants of the "Women in Action" conference at the Gananoque Inn.  This powerful workshop was geared to educate members about how they could develop their leadership potential and increase their involvement in the work of the Federation.  The workshops were very relevant, the women inspiring and the setting was relaxed and comfortable.  What a magnificent weekend!

Powerful Women!

Inspiring Participants!

She Won!!!!

Yahoo!  Marion, my niece, won her quarter-final match tonight on the Jeopardy Teachers' Tournament.   We had a pizza party to celebrate and watch the show.  My parents, die-hard Jeopardy fans were in tears at the end when she answered the Final Jeopardy question correctly.  Way to go Marion!  Tune in next Thursday for the semi-final match!

A hug from a proud aunt!

Grandma watches on!

Cousin Marie and Grandpa smile as Marion gets another answer!

Mr. "Mo"vember!

Doing well!

Even better!

The Final Jeopardy Question!

She won!  Yahoo!

Jeopardy Teachers' Tournament!

Marion Meets Alex!  Two Great Canadians!

Well, this is the week.  My niece, Marion Penning, will appear on Jeopardy this Friday night in the Teachers' Tournament.  Marion applied on-line about 6 months ago.  She was selected for an interview and was then offered a spot on the tournament.  She is one of 15 teachers chosen from across the USA to compete for a grand prize of $100, 000.  The taping of the show occurred on October 1 and 2 but as a condition of the show Marion was not allowed to tell us how she did.  We will all find out tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.  Tune in and join the fun!  Go "Wingler"!!!!

You can see her profile at:

http://www.jeopardy.com/minisites/teacherstournament-s29/contestantvideos/index.php?video_id=5029

Pumpkin Carving with My Boy!

Tonight, Adrian and I carved three pumpkins for Hallowe'en.  As Adrian put the finishing touches on one of the pumpkins I couldn't help but feel "sappier than a sugar maple"!  Next year at this time Adrian will be away at University and I'll be carving on my own.  Boo hoo!

Watch out!

Beauty Dog enjoyed the event!

Pumpkin Harvest!

On Saturday, October 20th, Mom, Dad, Pat, Adrian, Beauty Dog and I went out to the garden to harvest the pumpkins.  It was a beautiful fall day and as you will see from the photos the colours were extraordinarily beautiful.  It wasn't long before the truck was filled and altogether over 40 pumpkins were delivered to my home and to my classroom.  The children will be surprised when they come to school on Monday to discover that a pumpkin awaits for each of them.  We will use these class pumpkins to inspire future reading, writing, math and science lessons!

Beauty and I check out the crop!

The Truck is full!

Garden slowing down but still swiss chard, kale, parsnips and brussels sprouts to harvest!

A late fall blossom!

Harvest is done!

Later, in the evening we drove to Belleville to watch my brothers play, "The Importance of Being Earnest".  http://www.intelligencer.ca/2012/10/12/an-earnest-offering  My brother Dave directed this hilarious play, written by playwright Oscar Wilde.  The action takes place in class-conscious England near the turn of the last century, at a time of transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian ages and when the aesthetic movement, led by Oscar Wilde, was at its peak.  After the play, Mom, Dave, Pat and I joined Dave for wings at a local restaurant and wished Dave a "Happy Birthday" when the clock struck midnight.  Happy Birthday Dave!

Education Workers Fight for Democracy

Today, at a joint press conference, ETFO, OSSTF, CUPE and OPSEU Presidents announced that they will file Charter Challenges with the Supreme Court to fight Bill 115, a bill which denies education workers their rights, guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  In addition, a full page ad in the Toronto Star encourages teachers and all Ontario citizens to answer this question:

"How can we tell our students that democracy is worth fighting for if we do not fight for it ourselves?"

To hear the details of the press conference check out the links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX7TtKIoi3s



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVpPkIknykU

Thanksgiving Dinner at Dave's

Just returned home from a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my brother Dave's in Prince Edward County.  All of my siblings made it home this year so all five us were together for the big feast.  Altogether, there were 21 family members at the table and good food was enjoyed by all.  After dinner we had a bonfire out by the bay!

Awaiting the feast while Janice reads a Thanksgiving message.

Family

Cousin Noah... or is that Caveman Noah!

The "Henderson" Clan

Dave and Janice watch the fire!

Take Back the Night!

On Thursday, September 20th, I joined several Limestone teachers and other concerned citizens to "Take Back the Night".  We marched in solidarity to raise awareness about the serious issue of violence against women.  One of our youngest supporters was on hand to deliver lunch bags donated by the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.

April and her son Parker deliver lunch bags.

April, Sylvie and Parker.

Status of Women Members Take Back the Night!

September Hike!

On Saturday we went on a family hike in Frontenac Park, north of Kingston.  Every year Frontenac Provincial Park runs the Frontenac Challenge.  Participants are challenged to complete 11 trails, totalling 260 km, over the course of two months time.  My dad has completed the full challenge 14 times, my brother Dave, 5 times and I have completed it twice.  I won't be doing the full challenge this year as I am back to work and it is hard to squeeze it in on the weekends but I did complete it last year when I was on leave.  My dad will not complete the challenge, it has been a number of years since he has done so, but he will complete a number of trails and take part in the annual celebration at the end.  Dave has set his sights on a 6 year pin!

It was a beautiful day!  The sun came out and the temperature hovered around 18 degrees celcius.  Pat, Dave, Dad, Adrian and I had a nice time enjoying the green scenery and some quality time together.  At a few points on the trail, I got "sappier than a sugar maple", as I realized that this might be my last opportunity, for some time, to complete a September hike with my boy.  Next year at this time he will be off to university.  This year is destined to be a series of such moments.  Poor Adrian!

The hikers minus Pat, the photographer.

Rugged Trail

A Fine Young Man!

Brother Dave looks on!

Dave and Dad consult the map.

Nancy pulls a McGuinty!

Strike a Pose!

Sad Day For Democracy

My day began with a last chance appeal to the 107 democratically elected representatives of our province and is ending with dismay as I read only 13 responses.  Many of those responses tried to justify taking away my democratic rights.  Today, the Liberal and PC MPP's voted to approve Bill 115, a bill which takes away my rights guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Today is a very sad day for democracy.

First Day of School

The Grew men prepare for the first day of school!  Go Grews!

Yesterday was the first day of school and three excited members of the Grew family prepared for their first day.  This is Adrian's last year of high school.

Labour Day Parade

Limestone teachers protest McGuinty's unconstitutional attack on teachers!

On Monday, September 3rd, I joined hundreds of unionists in the annual Labour Day Parade, a day to celebrate workers.  For more information about the history of Labour Day in Canada check the link below:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day

Queen's Park Rally

On Tuesday, August 28th, I joined thousands of ETFO members and supporters from across the province, as we converged on Queen's Park to tell the Premier that betraying education professionals, tearing up collective agreements and curtailing the rights of citizens is an unacceptable way to run our province.  Inside, the Education Minister tabled legislation that many argue is unconstitutional, in that it prevents teachers from negotiating a fair collective agreement with their employer, a right that is guaranteed by law.  It seems that our Premier believes he is above the law and we, the citizens of Ontario, were there to tell him that he is wrong!

Teachers and supporters join in protest at Queen's Park 

A large group of Limestone teachers attended the rally

Limestone teachers stand up for democratic rights!

OECTA members express displeasure over the MOU, which they, as members did not get to vote on!

McGuinty's own words may come back to haunt him!

Buy-A-Net Presentation!

On Wednesday, August 15th, I was invited to speak to students at the St. Peter's Bible Camp in Trenton, about the work of Buy-A-Net.  Many interested students listened carefully about the work of this great organization and their questions revealed careful thought and concern for the citizens of Uganda.  The camp is collecting money to make a donation to BAN and they hope that by helping others they can make a difference in the world.  Well done students!

Students listen carefully about the work of BAN!!!

Deer Island Trip

Here we are heading across to Deer Island, New Brunswick, our annual summer jaunt.  Pat spent his childhood here and each summer the island calls him home.  This year Pat, Adrian and I were joined by my niece Marion, Adrian's friend Dylan, another niece Sarah, Pat's sister Corrine (Sarah's mom) and Pat's other sister Theresa and husband Laurie.   The weather was good, for the most part.  Marion experienced one day of fog but she seemed content to use the day to view the olympics.  Her first ocean kayak trip was exciting.  It seems she was visited by a whale.  A few days later Dylan decided to engage in a similar encounter.  It was a good trip and now that we are home memories of beach glass, fog horns and lobster rolls linger in our minds.  

Classic Canadians:  Olympic glasses, Tim's coffee and a Frontenac shirt!

Dylan is all smiles!

Marion communes with the whale!

Deer Island Blueberries!