Joyous protest

Openhearts Society: (L-R) Stan Miczek joins Chris Brown, Sarah McDermott and Eric Schenkman for a performance in Milford on Saturday. Below: A nesting osprey takes in the concert and rally from above.

Hundreds gather in Milford to push back against industrial wind turbines in rural Prince Edward County

When you ask questions first, you are better prepared for what comes later,” offered Eric Schenkman, urging the audience gathered around the hay wagon behind the shed at Mt. Tabor on Saturday afternoon, not to stand by passively as developers redefine Prince Edward County or any more parts of rural Ontario.

Schenkman, a cofounder of the band the Spin Doctors, performed with his band Openhearts Society on Saturday at a rally to preserve the County from the ravages of industrial wind energy factories. Along with Schenkman, Openhearts Society comprises Chris Brown and Sarah McDermott, who live on Wolfe Island and are veterans of the battle for hearts and minds on this divisive community issue.

The unbilled performances were just one of the many impressive sights and sounds on offer in Milford on Saturday afternoon.

A pair of osprey tending to their young, nesting on a light standard nearby, served to underline the urgency of the message to preserve the County for humans and nature rather than industrial wind factories.

About 500 people wandered among information exhibits, sampled the food and drink on offer and soaked up the sumptuous summer festival atmosphere, entertained by some of the best musicians Canada has to offer.

“The community is uniting,” observed Ian Hanna, MC for the event. “We are so grateful to Eric, Chris and Sarah for sharing their talent with their neighbours.”

The event, said Hanna, served to bring people together who have been working to prevent the industrialization of rural Prince Edward County, in groups or on their own. The event inspired hope and solidified determination that the fight to protect the County from wind developers will endure.