The Gill Net Lodge
in Toronto

Past notes are here.

Your thoughts are welcome
below by clicking the moose!


Friday, October 4, 2002 - 11:32:52 am:
Message from Mary Ellen at :

Hi Everyone,

JoAnn, her 4 year old twins -- Monica & Benjamin -- and Sam left Mom & Dad's this afternoon and are driving to their new home in Edmonton, Alberta.  They plan to be in Ottawa on Sunday night.  From there, the plan is to drive up north to see Mark in Ear Falls.  I wish them God speed.....ME


Sunday, October 6, 2002 - 08:57:39 am:
Message from Al Kingston at inchworm@nbnet.nb.ca:

Hello Linda,

Thanks for contacting us.  Welcome from the KINGSTONS in the North.  When I was young I heard Jack Kingston (my father'scousin) speak of Kingston relatives in the U.S.  After looking at the pictures, I see strong resemblances - the Man on the far left looks a lot like Terry Kingston (my uncle Con's son).  The man in the hat looks like my brother George but the most striking is the man at the right, he is a dead ringer for my brother Bill.  This is a wonderful thing, this Internet .  You wake up and find out you have a whole other family .


Tuesday, October 8, 2002 - 01:32:58 pm:
Message from John Vickers at :

Hello...I found out today that the Royal Ontario Museum wishes to display "The Pumpkins" and hold a gala event featuring Toronto's mayor and other dignitaries to raise funds for UNICEF...as the carver, I am in for another busy October!  My pumpkins from last year are here.  JV


Wednesday, October 9, 2002 - 11:53:51 am:
Message from Brenda MacKinnon at brenda.mackinnon2@ns.sympatico.ca:

This is so neat, John!  You have to find a way to make money on this pumpkin carving ability of yours!  Just think, if you discover a way to make money on your pumpkin carving abilities....can't it be transferred to a medium that doesn't rot and turn to mush eventually?  Or do you do this stuff on real pumpkins?  Anyhow, I think the fact that the ROM is going to exhibit your work and raise money for UNICEF is something wonderful......get the news out to the local media on the Miramichi....Local Man Makes Good at ROM!  with a giant carved pumpkin on the front page of the Leader or the Weekend!  Just think of all the famous exhibits that have been hosted by the ROM - probably the Group of Seven, King Tut's Tomb, etc, etc and now we have John Vickers' pumpkins.....I really am impressed and the fact that the money from the exhibit is going to UNICEF is great news!
Cheers,
Brenda


I am humbled by your kind words Brenda!  John
(p.s. Due to a short shelf life on the pumpkins, I use both real and manufactured ones that are also carvable and mix them up - at night the difference between the two is indistinguishable.)

Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 07:13:04 am:
Message from Fred Quinn at mfquinn1@aol.com:

Happy Christopher Columbus Day to all.  We are off to the parade.  God Bless Everyone, Fred Quinn, Jr.


Also, HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF THE KINGSTON CLAN!  Had a wonderful dinner at Micheal Sullivan's (straight up Yonge Street) on Sunday afternoon and enjoyed turkey dinner his family, his sister Mary's family, Bernadette and Pat, Father Coreless, and guests....so great.  Food was soo amazing! JV

Friday, October 18, 2002 - 12:31:18 am:
Message from Mary Ellen at :

Hi Everyone,

Just a note to let you know that JoAnn, Sam and JoAnn's children landed in Edmonton, Alberta last night.  I didn't get to talk to her, but I bet everyone is excited moving into their first home.


Saturday, October 19, 2002 - 09:33:26 am:
Message from Anne Marie at :

HI All,

I hope everyone is enjoying a fine autumn.  The weather, as usual for Calgary, has been crazy—tons of snow last week and 16C this week.  I do miss the red coloured in west but our crazy weather does not allow for maple trees—they get confused with the Chinooks –and die.  Thanksgiving was great had a bunch a people over for dinner.  Buddy, my dog, was spoiled with all the treats he received.

Was wondering what everyone’s position was on Bush and Iraq?  It appears to me the US is the only one who gets to say who is a bully and lets others exist with no intervention.  I don’t know what happened to seeking peace seems war has become the only answer.

John, good luck carving of the pumpkins,
Anne Marie


You certainly have a point Anne Marie.  I just wish that when the UN makes rules and someone breaks them like Iraq, the UN would be more resolute in enforcing its own rules (through negotiation hopefully) rather than having to be prodded to be forceful  by the U.S.  A political science professor told me one time it can be good to have someone on the far right in times of uncertainty as your point of center stays about right.  I do say bring the Democrats back.  Anne Marie a thanksgiving doesn't go by without memories of the great Thanksgivings I have enjoyed at your house when I lived in Calgary. John V

My 15 minutes of fame?  UNICEF copied me on their media release today for The Pumpkins..:-) JV

October 21, 2002
For immediate release

Pumpkin fever hits the ROM

The largest North American exhibit of carved pumpkins is coming to town just in time for the Halloween season.

Over 70 artfully carved pumpkins will be set out in a silhouette of light, shadow and orange. But these aren’t just any ordinary pumpkins; they’re famous pumpkins. “The Pumpkins” are carved in the images of sports and superheroes, political figures, Hollywood superstars, and even our favourite childhood cartoon characters. These unique carvings are the imagination of artist John Vickers put into pumpkin form.  Part of the festivities also includes a storytelling session around a campfire with UNICEF storyteller-in-residence Dan Yashinsky telling tales from around the world.

The display will be presented on the evening of Friday October 25 at the Royal Ontario Museum.

“The Pumpkins” will help raise money and awareness for the 2002 UNICEF Halloween campaign. It will also bring a smile to the faces of its visitors. John Vickers says: “I have three wishes for those who view ‘The Pumpkins’; I hope for a while they forget about whatever ails them, that they have a favourite carving and that they are reminded that love is what life is all about.”

Mr. Vickers has been carving whimsical pumpkins since 1994. He has been experimenting all the while with how light reflects onto the faces and designs he has carved. His pumpkin displays have been featured on national and regional television shows, and in local newspapers in Canada and the United States.

On the evening of October 25, the ROM will open its doors to anyone who wishes to come visit the display. Admission is free. As well, in support of UNICEF, John Vickers will be available for media interviews during the week of October 20. He will discuss his carvings and may even offer some pumpkin carving tips to the audience. So can you smell what the ROM is cookin’? It’s pumpkin fever, and all you have to do is show up to get a slice.

To book an interview with John Vickers or for more info contact:
Naureen Khan
Director of Communications
UNICEF, Ontario
(416) 487-4153 ext. 804


Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 05:08:06 am:
Message from Mary Elllen at :

John,

This is wonderful!  To quote some of my relatives "You done good!".  Good luck with everything.
I wish I could be there.....ME


Mary Ellen, I had to inform both the ROM and Unicef today that I have a real life outside of pumpkins (like a new job) as they wanted me to be available all over the place over the next couple of days.  Instead they are now going to line up a multi-interview afternoon.  I must admit although I enjoy seeing Halloween coming - I am also happy to see it go....:-) JV
Will Vickers went on a two week Kayak trip to Great Bear Lake in August.  Clickhereto see a series of pictures of his trip.





Saturday Oct 26th.  It was a great night last night....possibly as many as 2,000 people according to UNICEF today.  I was on three late evening T.V. news - it sure was a loong day.  Worth it though, UNICEF was happy with all their exposure.  The CEO for UNICEF Canada came by to express his thanks which I thought was very nice.  The Toronto Star took lots of pics and said they are going to do a write up which I have not seen as of yet.  I sent info home and Dad phoned to say that my story was on the front page of the Miramichi Weekend.  I have an appearance on an early morning TV show on Tuesday and that will be it for this year.  I now look forward to resuming my normal place in society..:-)
JOhn

Sunday, October 27, 2002 - 08:19:34 am:
Message from Anne Marie at :

John,

Wow, you found such an unique way to make an impact.  I can just imagine all the kids’ faces when they see the pumpkins and the kids who will be helped by UNICEF.  I remember carrying the boxes and collecting money on Halloween.  Impressive volunteering.

AM


Tuesday, October 29, 2002 - 12:49:36 am:
Message from John Vickers at johnvickers111@hotmail.com:

Hi again,

My father indicates he was contacted by the Moncton Times & Transcript today and was interviewed for a story regarding his son the pumpkin carver in Toronto to  run in tomorrow or Thursday's paper.   Mother says she recalls him mentioning I have brought a lot of girlfriends home over the years..:-)

John V


Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 08:51:45 am:
Message from Mary Elllen at :

Hi everyone & Happy Hallowe'en,

The excitement at our house for the day is not much behind what it is at Christmas.  I rented costumes for Rebecca and Katie-Rose this year and think it is something that I will definitely do again.  Rebecca has a blue gown with a tiarra and is going as Cinderella.  Katie Rose as a floor length Pink and white gown with a pointy pink hat with a veil coming out of the point and says she is "Pink Cinderelly".  You would think they were real princesses with all the pomp and circumstance they had going down the hall and stairs this morning.  They sure do not suffer from poor self-esteem!

I wish everyone a safe and fun night....ME