The Community Celebrates: Eco-Net is Launched

Over 60 members of environmental community and its supporters came together on October 18th 2005 at EcoHouse to celebrate the official Launch of the Eco-Network. See pictures from the Eco-Net launch.

The theme of the Launch was Eat Local, Drink Local featuring a wide selection of local wines and beers. The catered event entertained everyone with the wonderful music of 'Westside Trio'. Guests were able to admire the current art show at EcoHouse, a collection of paintings on nature by local artist Bill Powell.

Mark Chamberlain, the Chair of Hamilton Community Foundation spoke, as well as Paul Takala from MyHamilton.ca, and General Manager of EcoHouse, Heather Donison. MC Marilyn Baxter, Chair of Eco-Net, passed on congratulations from Mayor Larry Di Ianni, M.P. David Christopherson, M.P.P. Judy Marsales, and Minister of Environment Laurel Broten. M.P.P. Andrea Horwath sent her best wishes via her representative who attended.

The event took place at EcoHouse, an ecology and heritage centre, located in a century home which has been renovated and reconfigured to demonstrate environmental technologies from the past, present and future.

EcoHouse, the former Veevers estate, is on 2 acres of land and is owned by city of Hamilton and run by Green Venture. The Eco-Network has its office here. The house was decorated beautifully for the occasion, inside and out, and tours were given throughout the evening demonstrating its eco-practices. Its grounds are maintained without pesticides and feature a historically designed, bountiful organic garden. All of the flowers decorating the home and some of the organic produce in the delicious hors d'oeuvres were from the gardens of the estate.

A retrospective slide show was ongoing all evening with pictures of natural areas surrounding us both now and in the past and pictures of the people who have done so much to protect the environment over the years, some of whom are no longer with us.

It was truly an evening to celebrate the work that all the concerned citizens of Hamilton have done over the years, and an acknowledgment of the great things to come with the joining of hands of all of us who share a common purpose.