Bob Lalonde has been organizing building workshops for kids at Port Union C.C. for the past 20 years. At this year’s Earth Day event on April 26, they’ll be building the bird feeder he’s holding.
By Kathryn Stocks
Bob Lalonde has been organizing building workshops for children at Port Union Community Centre for about 20 years, except for one year during Covid. So we’re happy to let you know that he’ll be back again for our Earth Day event on Saturday, April 26.
It all began when Bob’s friend, Zane Biblow, asked him to help with one of the early projects. They started out by making bird houses with the kids, then did bird feeders, then bee boxes, and last year they made plant stands. This year they’re going back to bird feeders, but with a different design. Zane will be there helping, and Bob will be buying the supplies and cutting the wood prior to the event.
This year’s feeder includes an upside-down beer bottle, which will hold the birdseed. Seventy young participants will be able to build it from 10 a.m. until they’re gone. All the wood, nails and hammers will be provided along with some supervision from Bob and his volunteers. No registration is necessary, just drop in.
It should take the kids about 20 minutes to build their feeders. Birdseed will be sold for $1 at the community centre for those who want to put it up as soon as they get home. Many thanks to Bob and Zane for their longtime commitment to these building workshops for children.
Earth Day begins with a community cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon, which includes a free lunch for volunteers. This is a great way for students to get their volunteer hours. The BBQ lunch will be available to everyone at a cost of $4 for burgers and hotdogs, $5 for veggie burgers, and $1 for drinks. Please bring cash.
Also at the event will be members of the Rouge Butterflyway who will be taking orders for native plants during their yearly sale.
A mini Repair Cafe will be there, too, and at other tables you’ll find rain barrels, herb gardens, and crafts for kids. Outside we’ll have the Iron Mountain paper-shredding truck, and compost from the city.
At West Rouge Community Centre, the Scouts will be holding their massive recycling fundraiser.
New this year we’ll have presentations at the Port Union Library: Colin Winn will speak about photography at 11 a.m. and Raja Raudsepp will tell us about The Meadoway at 1 p.m. It’s going to be a great day! We hope to see you there.