Same old fun at Knock School
By Chris Simon

Innisfil Historical Society member Donna Wice and her granddaughter Mya play a game of Snakes and Ladders last week. That game, along with several other, will be featured as part of the society's Heritage Day Celebration. The celebration will take place at the Knock School heritage site Feb. 18, between 1:30 and 4 p.m.

It will be all fun and games for the Innisfil Historical Society later this month.

To celebrate Family Day and Heritage Week, the society will host a free game day at the Knock School heritage site Feb. 18, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Kids and adults are invited to attend the event, which will feature free use of several old heritage games, ranging from Snakes and Ladders and rubber ring toss to chess and Chinese checkers.

"We're celebrating games from the past, games of chance and skill," said Innisfil Historical Society member Donna Wice. "There's some manual and mental dexterity there. We thought that was something that might appeal to bring in young people and their parents."

Wice says the event will give families an inexpensive and fun experience during the statutory holiday.

"It's fun to go backwards and see if you're still good at Pick Up Sticks or checkers," she said. "We're trying to feature an open house with a theme. It might be too cold for the outside activities, so we're offering an opportunity for a little inside unique play, and a chance for people to experience a one room school house in a relaxed setting."

Residents will be able to tour the Knock site, see pictures preserved by the historical society and enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, said Wice.

"We're calling it Heritage Day. What we're celebrating is heritage," she said. "We hope to have a very relaxed setting. It's really simple interaction between a few people. No computer, X-Box or time clocks, just simple pleasures."

Anyone interested is invited to attend.

"We'll have games for all ages," said Wice. "I can see it being a lot of fun. Even if it only appeals to two dozen people, it's a great idea."