CAMPBELLCROFT - A taxidermy collection of nearly 100 birds and small mammals found a new home at the Ganaraska Forest Centre.
Port Hope resident Mysie Vanhinsberg donated the collection, which was displayed on special shelves in her home for many years. Her son Douglas Vanhinsberg began his childhood hobby in 1956 and continued for 10 years into adulthood until he died from cancer in 1966, Ms. Vanhinsberg said.
At 13 years old, Douglas sent away for a taxidermy correspondence course from Field and Stream magazine, she said. His first project was a mouse, which he transformed into a tiny rug, Ms. Vanhinsberg said.
"He took it to school and scared all the girls with it," she laughed.
Once word got around that Douglas was into taxidermy, people would come by or call with birds they found, she said.
"Kids came to the door and said 'here's a bird for Douglas,'" she said.
The birds are mostly local species, which is beneficial for the Ganaraska Forest Centre's Outdoor Education program, said Linda Givelas, the centre's manager. The children can see the birds before heading out for an outdoor program, she said. The animals are particularly useful for the animal adaptations program where students learn about the complexity of animals, she noted.
The donation came about with help from Port Hope Councillor David Turck. Coun. Turck said he knew about the collection and helped her find a new home for it. He wanted to make sure children could see the collection for educational purposes.
Ms. Vanhinsberg was just happy to see the birds have a new home.
"What else could I do with all those birds?" Ms. Vanhinsberg said.
Taxidermy hobbyist Karl Wysotski donated his time to clean the collection and re-set some of the mounts. Douglas's skill in taxidermy evolved over the years, noted Mr. Wysotski. The delicate work involved in preparing a set of three humming birds was wonderful, he said.
The centre placed a plaque on the display shelves commemorating the donation. Ms. Vanhinsberg visited the centre to check out the display on Nov. 14.
The Ganaraska Forest Centre has outdoor education programs for school-aged children, plus hiking and cross country ski trails for the public. For more information, visit the website at www.ganaraskaforestcentre.ca.
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