The message at the Innisfil Historical Society meeting this week was that people are more the same than they are different.

Carolynn Wilson, noted black historian from Collingwood, accompanied by Shirley Hartley, addressed a keenly interested group of 75 people at the Knock School historic site. Wilson introduced some of her family and friends and acknowledged that they were the keepers of history and tellers of the stories. Much of the history is verbal, passed to the generations through stories. They discussed how in the 1920s and 1930s blacks were not given jobs at front counters in stores or restaurants but worked as cooks, porters, seamstresses and domestic help, until they rose above the barriers to succeed and prosper. We were told that the Underground Railroad was used to free slaves; wagons had false bottoms to hide people under the boards, and were covered with straw and animals. The slaves used songs and hymns to send messages about the way to freedom, and signals were placed along the way such as quilts hung on clotheslines, over fences or in windows giving clues about the direction to go. Large vegetable gardens at the front of homes often signalled a safe house with food and safety for those making their way to Canada and freedom.

Slaves travelled mostly at night through bogs and marshes, and thick and dangerous woods. Bounty hunters with guns and dogs hunted runaway slaves for rewards. Some plantations held up to 20,000 slaves in leg irons. They were tortured with whips and beatings. The leg irons on display weighed about 15 pounds, and a neck collar came in at about five. It was an informative and thought provoking presentation, reminding participants that people of all histories and backgrounds are more the same than they are different, and the similarities and the differences should be celebrated.

Students looking for community service hours can contact Laurie at Will Silk's or 458-9212, to assist with the 2009 Wing Ding, which takes place June 6 and 7.

The Canadian Cancer Society needs a volunteer for daffodil pre-sales for the month of March. Contact Lillian Owen at 436-1060 for details.

Cookstown resident and well known tribute artist Terry Chisholm will be performing at Stroud Presbyterian Church at 2180 Victoria Street on March 14 at 7 p.m. Chisholm is a two time Canadian Grand National Elvis champion and was ranked seventh in the world at the Images of the King competition in Memphis, Tennessee. He will be paying tribute to Elvis, Roy Orbison, the Righteous Brothers, Jay Black and the Americans, Engelbert Humperdinck and many others. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at Cellar Wines in Stroud, Bradley Florist in Alcona and Music Pro in Barrie. For other ticket locations, call 431-1282. Proceeds from the concert will go towards the installation of an elevator for the church, to make it more accessible. For more information, visit www.terrychisholm. com.

The next Cookstown Friends of the Library meeting will be held on Wednesday March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Cookstown branch. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Cookstown Foodland is holding a fundraiser for the new library. For a $2 donation you can 'buy a book' to help provide reading programs, books for the hearing and sight impaired and other items to complete the library.

The library has March Break programs for children of all ages. Registration for March programs begin March 3, and can be made in person or by calling 458- 1273.

Learn how to crack codes and create some of your own, make spy gadgets or sign-up for spy camp and learn some super skills. Put them to the test at this fun filled spy training camp for children ages six and up. Admission is $2, and the camp will be held Thursday March 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Visit the local library each day to crack one of the super spy codes. Crack the codes and you can enter to win some fantastic prizes. Crack them all and you can enter to win the grand prize. Come in anytime during March Break to put spy skills to the test. There will be codes for you to break and puzzles to solve.

The MADD Barrie/Simcoe chapter is looking for people who are interested in their mission to stop impaired driving and support the victims of this crime. For information, contact Jason Larkin at maddbarriesimcoe@ rogers.com or 1-866-466-5310.

The Gilford and District Horticultural Society begin their 2009 season on Monday March 9 at 7 p.m. in the Churchill Community Centre, located at 6322 Yonge Street. The first meeting welcomes Bees Universe, with Ionel and Irina Alecu speaking about bees and their importance as pollinators. Honey will be available for purchase, and a silent auction will be held. For more information, contact Eve Teras at 436-4776.

Crime Stoppers South Simcoe (Innisfil and Bradford) are looking for volunteers for their committee. If you are interested, call Barb at 458-9358 or Deanna at 905-775-0662.

Glimpses of Cookstown, Joan McLean's local history book, has only a limited number left from the second printing. Don't be disappointed. Pick-up one of the remaining copies for $28 at Will Silk's General Store in Cookstown (a cheque or correct change is appreciated). Another printing is not scheduled, and will only be done if pre-order numbers warrant.

South Simcoe Theatre is looking for fun-loving creative types for help painting, set building, props and costume design for their next two production. Starting Feb. 28 to April 18 they will be creating a snowbound Canadian roadhouse for Discovering Elvis. Come to the theatre at 1 Hamilton Street in Cookstown on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to participate. No experience is needed. Contact Christina at 458-4422 or cl@christinaluck.com for more information.

The Police Services Board is meeting Monday March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Frank Jonkman Community Room at the South Division station. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

The Innisfil Public Library Board meets Monday March 9 at 7 p.m. at the Lakeshore branch, which is located at 967 Innisfil Beach Road.

An Innisfil Heritage Committee meeting has been scheduled for April 2 at 7 p.m. at the New Town Hall, in Meeting Room C. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

An Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting will take place March 10 at 1 p.m. in Town Hall Meeting Room A. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Contact me at abaguley@ bconnex.net or 458- 9358 with your news for our community.