Sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) are hardly a new phenomenon. They have been documented throughout the centuries and all over the globe. Here in Canada, reports CBC Assignment's Rex Lambert, one of the oldest and most curious paranormal events dates back to 1845. One September evening near Cornwall, Ont., a farmer notices brilliant dancing lights surrounding Marsh Point Farm. Soon more and more people witness the spectacular lights accompanied by strange sounds of clanging and explosion. Befuddled neighbours decide to keep an overnight watch but fail to solve the mystery. After a year, the bizarre manifestations slowly disappear without a trace. Despite interviewing numerous witnesses and scientists, no credible explanation is ever offered for the strange activities at Marsh Point Farm.

Did you Know?

Canada has one of the highest rates of UFO landings per capita. According to the most recent survey done by Ufology Research of Manitoba, more than 483 UFOs were reported in 2002. That number represents an increase of 29 per cent over sightings in 2001.. Ufology refers to the study of UFOs.. Ufology Research of Manitoba is a non-profit organization established in 1975. Based in Winnipeg, the organization looks at "rational discourse, investigation and research on UFOs and related phenomena." Other UFO research organizations in Canada include UFO*BC and the Mutual UFO Network of Ontario.

CBC Archives 1962 (Just an audio file now).

I've seen the illustrations here and there growing up in Ontario. I didn't pay attention to who created them. Just enjoyed the detail and the colours, the types of flowers: trilliums, lady's slipper, jack-in-the-pulpit, wildflowers I would look for in woodlands, gardens, anywhere they might turn up. Today I looked up the name and discovered she was the daughter of Susanna Moodie, a well known author here in Ontario.

Canadian born, Agnes Dunbar Fitzgibbon Chamberlin (née Moodie; 1833–1913) was an Ontario artist.

She was born Agnes Dunbar Moodie. Her parents were John and Susanna Moodie. Agnes learned how to paint flowers from her mother.

Susana (Strickland) Moodie, sister of Catharine Parr Traill, wrote about life as a New Canadian, 'Roughing it in the Bush' about her experience farming in Ontario during the 1830's. Her sister, Catharine, wrote from a different perspective, about history in Ontario.

In 1868, Canadian Wild Flowers was published, viewed as one of the first serious botanical works published in Canada, which included text by Catharine Parr Traill. The book, very expensive for its time, was sold by subscription, largely through its author's own efforts; as an enterprising widow, she also worked as an illustrator to support her children and herself.

Agnes had 2 husbands (remarried after the first died in 1865) and 9 children.

In 1863, she began her paintings of Canadian flora to illustrate a book by her aunt, Catharine Parr Traill. After the death of her husband, she began work on a book of Canadian wild flowers, with her water-coloured illustrations and Traill's text. The book attracted 500 subscriptions, a significant number at the time.

Her paintings have been presented at exhibitions in Canada, USA, and England since 1886. She died in Toronto in 1913. Her heirs presented her paintings and copies of Canadian Wild Flowers and Studies of Plant Life in Canada to the University of Toronto in 1934–5.

• Summarized and quoted from Wikipedia.

I think we still have a copy of one of the reprints of the wildflower book. My Mother enjoyed Canadian and Ontario history along with gardening, antique furniture and other hobbies that became popular in the 1970's. That must be where I first saw these illustrations.

Hiking in the GTA - Vivian – Ghost Towns Of The GTA

I know a house in Ballantrae, Ontario, which must have been built by the same people who built this one, that house is an old shop just at the corner on Vivian. I used to live in Ballantrae but I've never been inside that house, or even closer than looking from the street. I wanted to. This house is a local treasure, to me at least. I found it on a card sold via Etsy today. It doesn't seem to say who the artist is, might be easier to see on a larger size. Or, I could ask the Real Estate Board. But, mainly, I like seeing the house drawn as it is now. Who knows how it will be in the future. Nothing lasts forever, but houses aren't always so lucky with being maintained. I hope this one stays lucky a long time.

Update about the image: I had a link to vintage cards produced by the York Region Real Estate Board for sale on Etsy. They featured a print of a hand-drawn sketch of buildings located in Ontario. The link is not working now, the shop is closed and I found the York Region Real Estate Board merged with Toronto and is no more. If I can find the image I made as a screenshot I will post it. Until then, I found a post from Hiking in the GTA about the other house, up the street.

Vintage Cards of Ontario Buildings Blank Interior With | Etsy Canada Keeping the link in case its useful in finding the image again.