Huron Expositor, 2007-06-20, Page 24Page 24 June 20, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
News
Pioneer medicine,
gardening and history
on offer during Van
Egmond school program
From Page 1
was no indoor plumbing and no
radio - that they had to make their
own fun back then."
Agar says pioneer medicine was
the biggest hit with a simulated leg
amputation by retired teacher Bill
Farnell the most popular demon-
stration.
"A couple of the kids were really
visualizing it. They didn't like the
fact that there was no freezing or
anaesthetic at the time," she says.
Spittal agrees that the medical
presentation is excellent, adding
that one of Farnell's hobbies is to
participate in war reenactments as
a pioneer -era doctor.
After the first school visit, Spittal
is already looking at ways the pro-
gram could be improved.
He thinks the half-day program
could be expanded to a full day with
even more hands-on activities
included, such as planting a pioneer
garden using old implements and
playing pioneer games.
While he's still waiting for a cri-
tique from Upper Thames and to
hear from other local schools about
when they might be able to schedule
a visit, Spittal says the first tour
has made him even more confident
that the program can be a success.
"A lot of the schools go to
Fanshawe Pioneer Village in
London but this would be closer and
more curriculum -driven," he says.
Agar says the Grade 3s at Upper
Thames usually go on a trip at the
end of the year, usually to see a pio-
neer display, which is the favourite
unit of that grade.
"We are always asked to get
dressed up to go to pioneer villages
and the kids love it. So, when I saw
the article in the paper that the Van
Egmond House was offering a pro-
gram, I thought it was perfect. I
wanted them to know the history of
our area," she says.
"The package was so closely
linked to our curriculum and very
age appropriate. We are so lucky to
have something like this so close. I
hope they offer it again next year,"
says Agar.
Susan Hundertmark photos
Above, Peter Spittal gives a history lesson by Col. Anthony Van Egmond's grave to
Grade 3 students from Upper Thames Elementary School while below at left,
Andrew Christie (right) and Jared Sykes get a chance to plant some items. Below,
volunteer Pat Saundercock teaches Hannah Johnston, Alisha Pennington, Hailey
Wietersen and Cassandra Hinz about pioneer gardening, specifically herbs, which
the students got to smell and taste.