The year-long bicentennial celebrations began Saturday with a kickoff at the Fire Hall Market
Well, it only makes sense, doesn’t it, that if you’re gonna celebrate an anniversary, you gotta have an anniversary to celebrate.
So while there has been a human presence at the mouth of Kettle Creek since before time, today’s Port Stanley kicked off a 200th anniversary year for the community on Saturday.
You see, this year is the 200th anniversary of the village’s naming in 1824 in recognition of a visit by Lord Stanley to the Talbot Settlement – and that’s as good a reason as any to plan a year of special things to do.
(Fun fact from a Port anniversary history: Lord Stanley, who later became prime minister of the United Kingdom, was the father of Frederick Stanley, eventual governor general of Canada, an ice hockey enthusiast and donor of the first Stanley Cup in 1893, for which he supposedly commandeered his wife’s dining room fruit bowl.)
Busy organizing the year is a committee headed by Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan, whose family has a longtime presence in the community. Members include C.E. Port Coun. Michelle Graham, Kelly Shewan, Jodi Burness, Barb Kelly, Dan Ross, Chris Smith and Amy Van de Klippe.
Andrew welcomed about two-dozen folk who joined opening ceremonies at the Fire Hall Market on a snowy weekend morning. And it was a kickoff that certainly was more optimistic for times ahead than the wake the village actually held to mourn the passing of local government in 1988 with the creation of Central Elgin.
Noting Port has a long history as a welcoming community that predates even the last 200 years, Andrew looked to the present and the future: “We have the natural, we have the human, we have the physical resources to stand out today and for the next 200 years.”
Hence the anniversary theme, It’s About Time, celebrating that same yesterday, today and tomorrow (although Hooked on You was a close second).
Andrew’s was a lighthearted welcome as he took a moment to respond to comedian Johnny Harris’s equally lighthearted 2021 Still Standing CBC Television visit.
“I have to say, and I know the cameras are running and I wasn’t going to say this but we’re more than a ‘drinking village with a fishing problem.’ Much, much more than that.”
(Check me up on this one. The episode, which aired the following January, remains available for viewing through CBC Gem. Click to gem.cbc.ca/still-standing/s07 and set up a free account.)
Andrew also welcomed support for the year, and to volunteers to assist its organization.
Of course, the anniversary has an online presence. Click to facebook.com/portstanley200 (which I gulp to mention while the social media giant still censors Canadian news) and to portstanley200.com, a website under construction.
Next anniversary event is this Sunday at Port Stanley Arena – a free public skate from 1 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
A couple other things to currently see and do in conjunction with Port’s 200th.
The Port Stanley Village Association’s environmental impact committee is working with the students and staff of Kettle Creek public school to plant “200 Trees for 200 Years” to beautify the harbour berm.
In support of the initiative, donations are invited through the Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation by clicking escf.ca.
Meantime, the Elgin County Museum continues to toast Port Stanley – Canada’s Coney Island – with an exhibition continuing through Feb. 19 at the Elgin Heritage Centre.
“This exhibition on Port Stanley’s historic hotels includes selections from the recently donated Heritage Port Collection.
“Mackie’s, the sole surviving occupant of the old boardwalk, is represented by its large 1930 popcorn machine on loan from a private collector.”
Is it possible all roads lead today to Port?
Well, a couple of items, at least.
Here’s an update from Dennis Taylor and Raymie Jewell, whose annual extravaganza of lights at their Port home is a holiday must-see for many, and an opportunity to donate to Make-a-Wish Canada Southwestern Ontario, and to Port’s own Caring Cupboard Food Bank.
“Another wonderful year for Port Stanley Christmas Lights has come and gone,” the couple posts to everyone who enjoyed December’s show.
“With your help, we were able to donate $11,043 to Make-A-Wish SWO.
“This would not have been possible without the substantial donations from Shedden IOOF Lodge 310 and St Thomas IOOF Lodge 78.”
And a drum roll, please. Since Dennis and Raymie first encouraged donations, the annual display has now raised $125,419.53 for the organization that grants the wishes of seriously ill children.
“We are especially grateful to be able to support Make-A-Wish SWO, as they offer joy to families with sick children.
“It makes the harsh weather and blips in the program so worthwhile.”
The couple shares some heartfelt thanks. ‘Cause I guess you gotta say it takes a village to raise this display of thousands of lights synchronized to music.
“Big thank yous go out to our volunteers, Tim, Russ, Alex, Doug, Bill and Michelle. They worked tirelessly through cold, wind and rain to get these lights up and running!
“Extra thanks to Bill for helping Dennis troubleshoot problems when our equipment didn’t respond well to power glitches.
“Thanks to Jack for helping with the tear down and getting most of it put away, again in not so nice weather!
A very special thanks to Jane Walker – Magical Port Stanley – for her awesome pictures again this year. We really appreciate her constant promotions of the Christmas lights every year.”
And thanks to family for support, and to “awesome neighbours” Tim and Colleen, who are fans of the display that each night attracts scores of spectators.
Here’s a post by Braden Rickwood.
“There’s nothing wrong with starting fresh but it does suck when you have to start fresh because of unfortunate incidents.
“I will learn from this. I will always think of the day I lost everything. This will be a tough memory!
“But I also didn’t lose everything, I still have my family, and my soul is still intact!”
Braden was one of the five tenants who lost their homes and possessions in the Hiawatha Street apartment collapse and demolition. The unsafe building had to be pulled down on top of their belongings.
He also is grandson of Chico Sanchez, who, for many years, has entertained local music lovers. And Chico and musical friends are tuning up Saturday in the Porter Hall at St. Thomas Anglican Church on Flora Street for a funder for the victims of the incident.
So many musical friends, indeed, that not all could be accommodated on the evening’s program. And as of Wednesday, just 20 tickets to the event remained available. Both are examples of how the community is pulling together for those unfortunate families, says Rose Gibson, who is longtime acquaintance of the musician and a convener of the funder.
The evening includes a 50/50 draw, door prizes, including a $300 night at Fallsview Casino Hotel, Niagara Falls, and a cash bar.
Tickets can be purchased or donations made at the church, which has donated use of the venue. The office is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Call 519-631-7368.
Donations also can be made by e-transfer to Rose at rosegibson00 (which is zero zero) at gmail.com, or to her by direct message through Facebook.
I’m a huge fan of Edmonton-based Catalyst Theatre. I was introduced to the cutting-edge contemporary troupe by a production of Hunchback in 2012 on a visit to hometown Vancouver.
And my appreciation of the company’s work by auteur Jonathan Christenson, who has spearheaded thecreation of 22 musicals (!) in an international career, was completely cemented by Catalyst’s Vigilante. That’s the Donnelly story so well-received that it has made two visits to the Grand Theatre.
But.
I’m sorry to say Christenson’s hand as playwright, composer and director of The Invisible, which is Catalyst’s current offering at the Grand, may be just too apparent in the telling of a fascinating tale of women who were recruited by Second World War Britain to parachute behind enemy lines to create havoc. Women because men would have been conspicuous – and suspicious – by their presence away from battle. And because women could do the job – assassinations, bombings, etc. – as well as any man, just given the opportunity.
The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare is the story of six of those women. It’s fiction but informed by fact. And when it is good, it is very good, with excellent storytelling, acting and songs. But it also gets bogged down by a book that needs a good edit. Is this a thrilling spy tale about a group of unknown – invisible – heroines? Certainly in Act 2. But is it also too long getting to that point? Yep.
And you don’t have to smack me over the head more than once with a rivet gun: I know our Rosies could do it!
Yet, that said, I must note the production has been extremely well-received by critics since it was first staged pre-pandemic in Calgary.
On stage to Feb. 3. Click through grandtheatre.com.
Stay well.
ericbunnellspeople@gmail.com
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