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VT ig seem" =Sketching skills pay off Meg oe ak When Bruce Hood says he draws on his imagination in the course of his duties as a wildlife interpreter at the Kortright Centre for Conservation, he isn't kidding. An ac- complished cartoonist (and equally ac- complished artist), the personable native of Hamilton regularly lends his sketching skills and gentle humour to the Po 0 dU Geb Ona nOrh illustrations for posters, displays, pamphlets and other printed materials used in the Centre's activities. The cartooning is strictly a side-bar effort for the enthusiastic wildlife biology major from the University of Guelph. Not yet 30 years of age, Bruce Hood has been closely associated with nature in Ontario for most of his life. At a time when most kids were expressing a desire to become policemen, firemen or astronauts, six-year-old Bruce knew he wanted to be working out-of- doors among the living things of forest and stream. in the early 1960's Douglas Hood, then of Burlington, would frequently take his family on camping trips, often to provincial parks. His young son Bruce learned to love the outdoors. He had a never-ending stream of questions, not only for his father, but for park attendants and naturalists as_ well, about the birds, animals and insects he discovered in the wilderness. Born in Hamilton, in 1954, Bruce and his he pee: % Bruce Hood wildlife interpreter parents, his. sister, Barbara and a brother, David, moved to Burlington, Ontario, in 1958. David is also in- volved in outdoors work, as a designer employed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at the Provincial Park of Wasaga Beach. Bar- bara works summers at Cyprus Lake Provincial Park near Tobermory, Ontario. Following graduation from secondary school in Burlington, Hood attended McMaster University in Hamilton for a year and then trasferred to _ the University of Guelph to pursue his interest in nature and attain his Bachelor of Science in Biology. It was his maternal grandfather, Roy Herman of Hamilton, who first aroused Bruce Hood's interest in art- work and cartooning. A skilled and innovative cabinetmaker, who produced many of his own tools, Grandpa Herman spent many hours with his grandson during the latter's early years. Sometimes, to amuse the boy, he would draw a random line on a piece of paper and then encourage Bruce to draw something from it. The youngster found he enjoyed the exercise and went on to excel in art throughout his school years, winning {he Grade 13 art award at M.M. Robinson High School in Burlington. From Grade 11 on, and through his second year of university, Bruce taught art for the Burlington Recreation Department in the summer and on weekends throughout the winters. He also took an art course each semester at .university, "just to keep in prac- tice!" Hood's obvious dedication to con- servation, his creative skills and ready wit, coupled with his newly- acquired B.Sc. degree, easily earned him his first job with the Department of Natural Resources at Bass Lake Provincial Park, near Orillia, where he was put in charge of the interpretive program. Later, he moved into the district office and then to Wasaga Beach Park where he held the position of media designer, which _ in- cluded the production of publications, exhibits and audo-visual materials. : In the all of 1977, Hood joined The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for wildlife interpreter Conservation Authority. Such has been the caliber of his work that he is still on the Kor- tright staff. A major facet of Hood's work is the preservation and im- provement of wildlife habitat. Assiduously gathering information on nature subjects, such as deer management, he prepares material for staff talks, brochures, slide shows and develops story lines for wildlife indoor and outdoor exhibits. One of the most valuable contibutions to area conservation, Hood feels, has been the development of a marsh at Kortright, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. Wetlands have become critical to the con- servation of wildlife and forests and have been among the hardest hit of natural habitats. Bruce - ostensibly for a two year, 'on loan' period - to develop a fish and wildlife program for the newly-created Kortright Centre for Con- servation. Officially on staff at Kortright as a biologist, his main concern was to gather information that could be developed into wildlife management programs reflecting the aims of the Ministry of Natural Resources and The Metropolitan Toronto and Region The Friday Times Second Class Mail Registration Number 3194 Published at 309 King Street, Midland, Ontario / 526-2283 f Aa | GIA declares. Among the other successful programs in which he has been in- volved have _ been Kortright's eventide Owl Prowls, birdhouse- building demonstrat- ions, "We're for the Bi d's) > Riacano Telemetry and Coyote Howl outings. At night, Hood gives attention to his artwork, turning, as the spirit 'moves him, from fine art to cartooning. He continues to look upon painting as an ac- cessory to his work as a naturalist. The coupling of his illustrative talents with his knowlege of biology provides extra impact to his major work, by adding the fun and reedom of ex- pression cartooning permits. With the dedication of a true conservationist, Hood avers, 'wildlife NE PTO' MIDLAND YOUR FRIENDLY GREENGROCER conservation education, to me, is the most positive thing I have to offer society, so art must remain a secon- dary interest." Teach fewer - students A lesser number of students is attending schools administered by the Simcoe County Board of Education this school year than in the last school . year. The number of teachers has not changed. A new pupil-teacher ratio came into effect this month: classes are smaller. Also the elementary school teachers' contract calls for a librarian in each school, says trustee Joan Jensen. Teachers are being hired, as well, in preparation for the coming into force in Sep- tember of 1985 of Bill 82, the special education legislation. We're glad you asked! Jim Lynn Funeral Director "HOW DOI GIVE COMFORT TO THE TERMINALLY ILL?" It is usually best to maintain the same closeness you have shared in the past. Your contacts with the person should be of the same type as they were in the past -- a phone call, short visit over coffee, a personal note -- whichever was your manner of contact before you heard of the illness. If making a personal call seems too difficult, perhaps a short note indicating '"Word has come to me that you are ill. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers." Silence can often be interpreted to mean in- difference to one who is ill. A simple note of concern and love makes an opening for a personal call at a time convenient to the sick person. That personal visit will surely prove a comfort to both parties! . -And finally, that personal visit should be made as ordinarily as possible. Don't change your per- sonality or behaviour -- rather "Be yourself." Bring news or items of interest into the con- versation, all in a way to show you care. | James H. ale nn J Smeal Home 'Midland 526-6551 Elmvale 322-2732 290 King &., Midland eoe™ 0200 we 0° : ) AG Prod of Ont. 4 qt. ; PEACHES . 2 9S... & ZB CELERY Prod of Ont. 4 at. TOMATOES . 2 29 basket BANANAS 38°), or 84° /kg. The F riday Citizen | o.4« Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Published at 75 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario / 549-2012 Editor: Douglas Reed Advertising Manager: Robert Finch Circulation Manager: June Robbins heal JLamremtiam /Puiblisthine Grea Page 4, Friday, September 16, 1983 PRUNE PLUMS $ 2.99 basket Prod of Ont. ROMAINE 59° each Prod of Ont. GREEN ONIONS 3/ 99°. Maple Leaf HAVARTI CHEESE *3.29 /Ib. *7.24 stg. % 4 SES ONO. '°5. & Maple Leaf Pepper Celery Baked. 'MEAT LOAVES $2.29 /\b. *5.04/k oo ; Z oe |