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History,
music and fun at 150th anniversary of Point Clark Lighthouse |
Heritage/Year of the Light |
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It was a weekend of music, history and fun, capped off with hot, sunny weather, for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Point Clark Lighthouse. Held in a tent at the base of the lighthouse tower, the festivities began Friday night with local musical entertainment by Scott Chow and Friends, and Next Rite, followed by fireworks at dusk. A 52-foot Blackbeard inflatable obstacle course kept the children amused throughout the weekend, and the Knights of Columbus provided food for those who were hungry. Saturday afternoon, the anniversary ceremony featured comments from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb's office, MPP Carol Mitchell's office, and Huron-Kinloss deputy mayor Wilfred Gamble, as well as Bruce County Museum curator Barb Ribey, and Carolyn Blackstock of Woodside National Historic Site. Praise went to the Friends of the Point Clark Lighthouse, especially the anniversary celebration committee: Jan and Keith Kelly, co-chairpersons; Dianne Simpson and Danielle Pilon; and appreciation to the Lucknow Legion Pipe Band for its performance. Recognition was given to the first curator of the Point Clark Lighthouse Museum, Lorraine McGuire; the first tour guides, Trina Lowry-Parker, Denise Courtney-Kirk, and Paula Reid; and a special welcome went out to former lightkeepers and their families. The lightkeepers included John Young (1859-82), Thomas Kilty (1859-61), David Small (1883), John Ray (1884-93), Murdoch MacDonald (1894-1913), George Ray (1914-24), John Ruttle (1926-38), John A. Campbell (1938-46), John C. Campbell (1947-62), Elmer MacKenzie (1963-64), Elden Lowry (1964-67), Joe Burke (final caretaker).
During historical conversations, Gwen Harrison, Marlene MacKenzie
and Bob Courtney, talked about the history of the area and, in
particular, the lighthouse. She said the unfinished upstairs was unsafe so the main floor was the display area for artifacts chosen and placed by Barb Ribey and her staff from the Bruce County Museum. "My assistants were Trina Lowry, Denise Courtney and Paula Reid," said Harrison. "Others who helped us get things moving were Joe Burke, Bob Courtney and my husband. Many, like next door resident Agnes McDonald, were willing to labour for love of the job. It was a most interesting and enjoyable endeavour." Lorraine McGuire, as curator, developed the museum to its fullest extent, said Harrison. "She was instrumental in getting the lighthouse open for tours, making Point Clark the tourist destination it is today. In 1995, Huron Township council wanted to close the whole site, but Mrs. McGuire and her supporters persuaded council to keep it open. She worked with great foresight and dedication."
Harrison said this area may become much more important in the future
as University of Michigan researchers are studying a possible
man-made, pre-historic hunting trail, more than 9,000 years old,
that stretches from north of Alpina, Michigan, on the lake bed, to
this vicinity. "It was a magical place," she said. "The sights, the sounds, the scenery and the smells were splendid. Life was an adventure. We moved into the lighthouse in late winter and Blair had his first birthday there on April 13, 1963. The main house was solid stone, birds resided upstairs, and we lived in the drafty frame parts. We heated with two oil stoves." Her husband worked at Douglas Point on construction and when the light at the top of the Point Clark tower needed to be adjusted, he ran up the steps of the lighthouse. "Blair was a very active little boy. By the time he was a year old, he was on the run. Every day we explored the world together. We saw wonderful things. We saw and heard Carp fertilizing their eggs, big lake steamers close to shore in rough weather, a yacht on the rocks, sailboats, the native fishing boats, fishing nets, the setting of the sun, the moods of the lake, spirals of water spun into the sky, wee stones and shells, fossils, bugs, flowers, trees releasing fluff that looked like cotton, crowds of people in August, and the calm of September. In the evening, we swam, fished, went for rides in the cedar strip boat, built bonfires, scanned the sky and found the constellations." MacKenzie said that one night a mirage appeared. "It looked like a city with street lights across the lake. There were cars and trucks driving along the road there. We slept, comforted by the sound of the waves, the wailing loons, the wafting fragrance of lilacs. The full moon cast a fluorescent glow on the gently lapping water. Elmer painted a picture of the moonlit water which now hangs in Blair's daughter's room." Marlene and Elmer MacKenzie were married in 1959. "Had Elmer been strong enough to survive the rigors of our relationship, we would have been married 50 years this summer," she said. "When winter came in 1963-64, we shivered with the cold. We played cards with Bill and Mrs. Leonard, drank Mrs. Leonard's excellent peach brandy and listened to Bill play the organ. When summer came, on the very first hot day in July, we moved to Mount Forest." MacKenzie said she was delighted to be at the 150th anniversary celebration of the Point Clark Lighthouse. "As Elmer would say, at my age I'm delighted to be anywhere. This year, my great niece, Megan Lowry, is working here at the lighthouse. We plan to have our picture taken together in front of the lighthouse." Besides the historical conversations, the afternoon featured a classic car show, artisans displays, the Boys from the Bruce, John Heaman, the Chalk Chics creating a chalk drawing of Johnny Depp from the "Pirates of the Caribbean," the incredibly funny Silly People, kite flyers, and caricature drawings. Saturday evening, was the famous corn roast, sponsored by Sobeys of Kincardine, followed by piping at dusk by Kyle MacDonald, and the Lighthouse Swing Band. An outdoor church service was held Sunday afternoon, with Rev. Ruth MacLean officiating. Lunch was served by the Reid's Corners W.I., and the lighthouse photo and painting contest was held. Musical entertainment was provided by Jim Hall and Brontae Hunter.
The Elmira Amateur Radio Club provided live broadcasts all weekend
from the foot of the lighthouse.
16/08/2009 10:23 PM
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Jacqueline Lowry (L), Brent Finlayson, Scott Chow and McKenna Scott of Scott Chow and Friends perform Friday night
Waiting for the fireworks at dusk
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