Calendar of work by local photographer supports local causes

Many people, George Bardeggia included, feel Bell Park and Ramsey Lake are the jewels in Greater Sudbury’s crown. 

Well, Bardeggia has gathered 14 images of those jewels and compiled them into a calendar with the proceeds going to support Maison McCulloch Hospice and the Elgin Street Mission.

This is the second year he has produced a Bell Park calendar. The 2023 version of the calendar was a test to see if people were interested in such a thing (turns out they were).

“For the 2024 calendar, I have personally funded the project and invited the Mission and the Hospice to participate with me,” Bardeggia told Sudbury.com.

For Bardeggia, it’s about giving back and supporting the work of two organizations that work with people at vulnerable times in their lives.

“My wife and I have been personally supporting both the Elgin Street Mission and the Maison McCulloch Hospice (as well as the Sudbury Food Bank and Salvation Army) over the past number of years,” he said. “We are committed to helping those who provide care and social assistance in our community and felt that the Mission is doing great work with the homeless and the Hospice is providing a much needed and free service to those who are at the end of their life and their families.”

Bardeggia became fascinated with photography from visiting a family member’s photo studio and camera store, and then learned a lot as a Sudbury High School Board audio-visual technician in 1967-68.

“That was a great learning experience for me as part of my responsibilities included copying 35mm slides, producing 35mm slides from magazine pictures for use in the classroom,” he said. “My highlight was taking photos at the 1967 Centennial parade in Sudbury for the school board.”

While he shoots mainly landscapes and wildlife, Bardeggia said he enjoys shooting people and portrait work as well.
He said it’s difficult to pick a favourite photo from the calendar, but if he had to choose, he said he’d pick an image showing members of the Sudbury Rocks Running Club out for a run in their Christmas attire.

If you would like to purchase a calendar, they are available by contacting Bardeggia at [email protected] or by phone at 705-688-6825. They are also available at the following local stores:

1. The Elgin Street Mission
2. Maison McCulloch Hospice
3. A&J Home Hardware on Bouchard Street
4. Second Avenue Home Hardware
5. The Artizen Salon, Balsam Street in Copper Cliff
6. Skakoon Home Hardware, Montague Street