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The eyes, that do not see are often not those of the blind, but are those who do not feel ... The Shame of Griffith Island
George Gruetzner who lit the light for the last Lighthouse Keeper on Chantry Island stands in front of the ruins of the Keeper's House on Griffith Island George, a master woodworker and former teacher did a wonderful job restoring the old privy on Chantry Island |
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They are known world-wide for being beautiful and unique. The 2006 International Lighthouse Conference was held at the Bruce County Museum in part to honour them and those who try to restore and maintain them They are located at Point Clark, Chantry Island, Cove Island, Griffith Island, Nottawasaga Island and Christian Island (see map and plan) The Canadian Government maintains Point Clark as a National Historic site and Mike Fair runs it as a tourist attraction. Chantry Island has been restored by dedicated volunteers and the entire community including the present and past Mayors who all have contributed to its present great condition. Over 250 volunteers aided by the Coast Guard and the Canadian Government have made that restoration possible. Cove Island has a dedicated group of volunteers as does Nattawasaga. The Canadian Government is a good partner in this as shown by a recent bill that was passed after years of work by those interested in Heritage. (Bill 215) Now what group could do this work all by themselves? It for sure would be the rich folks who own and operate Griffith Island as a private reserve for the very rich. How come they have not done anything, when a small group of older people did it with no treasure chest of money and just persistence and hard work? Are they blind to what anyone can see or are they simply unfeeling? Are they so far removed from physical labour that they cannot estimate how much it would take? Are they too busy to write a cheque to a firm who could do the work? Are they too busy to ask those who have done it? One of the volunteers on the Chantry Island Project met one of the 'owners' of Griffith Island at a dedication ceremony in Pioneer Park in Southampton 2 years ago. The man had on "what looked like a $2000 suit" according to the volunteer. On a lovely summer day with Chantry in the background, the rich man was asked if any plans were in the works to restore and preserve Griffith? According to the volunteer, "... the rich man turned from cordial to uncommunicative and walked away." Two of the volunteers who helped restore Chantry Island George and Margaret Gruetzner sent the Saugeen Times these pictures. What a shame. 13/01/2009 04:23 PM |
The Griffith Island Light from a distance
The classic roof line of John Brown's Light Keeper's Houses is visible with chimney
The stones used on the Lighthouse on Griffith Island are much smaller than used on Chantry Island. Restoring the Light and the House would be much easier.
The Condition of the House was far worse on Chantry when the Volunteers pitched in and made things happen. |
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