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Everyone who lives in Southampton, Saugeen Shores, either
knows John Weichel or knows of him and, on Monday night (January
26) at the Saugeen Shores Town Council meeting, he received a
special award - the 'Lifetime Achievement Award for Cultural
Heritage.
According to the Ontario Heritage Trust, "... the award is
presented to a volunteer who works tirelessly to keep our
heritage alive and meaningful."
Weichel has done that and more. He is an historian, a keeper of
records, a writer and someone with "insatiable curiosity". Quiet
and unassuming, he is also a watcher and appreciator of nature.
Living in Southampton on Lake Huron, Weichel was also
instrumental in the Chantry Island Lighthouse Restoration
project as part of the Marine Heritage Society and Propeller
Club.
Of his many writings, two of the most favourites among local
residents are 'Forgotten Times - Marine History of Southampton &
the Bruce Coast' and 'Forgotten lives - Early History of a
Coastal Village'. Each is exquisitely detailed with births,
marriages and lives of the many people who pioneered the area
and whose descendants remain in the region. Weichel's propensity
for detail is evident throughout his works and, those reading
his publications marvel at the remarkable research that he
undertook in order to complete them.
The details of the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement
Award for Cultural Heritage, as presented by Joyce Johnston,
Chair of the Municipal Heritage Commitee, follow: (next column)
27/01/2009 04:14 PM
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Joyce Johnston's Presentation
"John Weichel came to Southampton in the early 1980's after retiring as
Managing Editor of the Stratford Beacon Herald and found the perfect
setting for continuing his journalistic pursuits. His journal always at
hand, John immediately put his skills and insatiable curiosity to work
in researching and documenting the historical life and times of our
community.
Interviews with senior citizens and thousands of hours of archival study
provided the large records collection that formed the basis for John's
many published books and articles.
Noteworthy are two publications - Forgotten Times - Marine History of
Southampton & the Bruce Coast and Forgotten Lives - Early History of a
Coastal Village. These publicatons along with a sampling of his booklets
are submitted as examples of the meticulous detail in John's writings.
John has served as editor of the Bruce County Historical Society, has
been a significant contributor to the local Marine Heritage Society, was
instrumental in establishing the Marine Gallery at the Bruce County
Museum & Archives, collaborated with Pat McArthur in her book on local
Metis history and has provided research material and assistance to other
authors. He has donated his impressive research collection to the Bruce
County Museum for sharing with the community and publishing rights to
his major works have been assigned to the Museum for its financial
benefit."
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