PROVIDENCE BAY—The community of Providence Bay has always proven themselves to be resilient and with new businesses and wonderful artwork adorning buildings, parks and beach the community’s latest incarnation is proving to be a hit with both residents and summer visitors alike.
Members of the Providence Bay community recently unveiled their village square to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd as part of their Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations.
“Welcome neighbours, friends, family and honoured guests to the official celebration of the near completion of the Providence Bay Village Square,” said Master of Ceremonies and Central Manitoulin Councillor Alex Baran. “Providence Bay has a long history of settlement, beginning with the Odawa peoples’ seasonal fishing village along the river still in evidence today. In keeping with governments’ commitment to reconciliation with our indigenous neighbours, we would like to begin our program today by acknowledging that we are meeting today on the traditional territory of the Ojibway people of M’Chigeeng First Nation.”
Mr. Baran noted that the “park is culmination of many volunteer hours and was made possible by the generosity of many donors. The space is a result of the vision of this community to be an attractive and welcoming place for visitors and residents and was designed to accommodate the needs of the community, as well as respect the natural environment—providing a space for creative and social interaction.”
Following his introduction, and a short welcome by fellow Central Manitoulin Councillor Patricia MacDonald, the community held a ceremony dedicating a series of memorial trees celebrating the memory of people who were active in the Providence Bay community and who “helped build so much of the infrastructure we use every day.”
Mr. Baran read out the names of those community members and some of their accomplishments as the individuals representing that person came forward to attach the plaques. “Jack and Phyllis Bryan, the people who electrified the farms in region, designed the cenotaph, tellers of tall tales, and dependable volunteers in community and church. John Cranston, the man who built the boardwalk, laid the sidewalks, built the foundation for the cenotaph and from whose pit the sand was provided for the playground at the beach. Reg and Grace Dewar, people who were involved in all the volunteer groups of their day and provided trees for lumber in the building of the arena. Jerry Gordon, a hard-working man who played hockey and baseball with passion for the town teams and wasn’t afraid to try anything, he instilled his enthusiasm for art making in his children. Murray McDermid, a generous businessman and conscientious community leader who was the keeper of the history of the community and proud of his Scottish heritage. Grant and Nelda Oakes, people who were involved in the volunteer organizations of their day and who advocated for community issues at the provincial and federal level. Colin and Mary-Lou Patterson, people who volunteered their time to the community with enthusiasm and literally built the roof trusses of many structures in this community. (The memory of community members Doug and Jack McDermid were also celebrated with a memory tree plaque in a later ceremony.)
As family members places the plaques on the trees, bagpiper Dave Beaton played a suitable lament.
“We express our gratitude to volunteers and donors,” said Mr. Baran. “First of all, thanks to Bill Concannon, the DJ for the afternoon. He is graciously providing the use of the sound system for the festivities. This project would not have been possible without the contributions of so many people and there are some who have gone above and beyond. As I read out the names of the following businesses and organizations, will you please come and claim a ‘thank you’ pie.” Nothing says thank you on Manitoulin quite like a freshly baked pie. “Calvin Pearson and Son for many hours of site grading and excavation, the loan of equipment and the donation of topsoil for the site and for the planting beds, as well as crushed stone for the concrete pours. Rob Cranston, for the time and equipment spent clearing the site and placing the armour stone. Jeremy Gordon for time and equipment in site clearing. Mike Meeker for the donation of truckloads of Meeker’s Magic Mix for the planting beds. Taylor’s Sawmill for deeply discounted mulch for the planting beds and logs for marking the parking spaces. The Lions Club for being the first major funding donor to the project. Home Hardware Mindemoya for donating a bench and a variety of lumber and hardware components and shrubs. Island Animal Hospital for donating a bench and the use of a truck to transport the Mike Meeker’s Magic Mix. Pro Hardware Mindemoya for the donation of sono tubes that support the sculpture pads and the corner sign posts. Manitoulin Tree Services for the donation of mulch. Corbiere Enterprises for picking up and delivering dump trucks of mulch (some of it in flames to add to the general excitement) and last but not least JD Garden Centre for deeply discounted trees.”
Ingrid and Trevor Blay were called forward to claim a pie “for many hours of planting and watering, transplanting shrubs from other discontinued gardens.” As well as Russ Hendrix for the donation of electrical cable and electrical installation “and for his inspiration that started the whole project going. erin-blythe reddie for the donation of half the plant material in the corner bed. John and Joanne Bisaillon for many hours of site prep, pruning, mixing concrete, donation of landscape construction materials, installing posts and benches. Marlene and Bill Jewell for a generous financial contribution and for equipment and hard labour in the preparation of the site, planting, mulching and the donation of plants. Blair Sullivan Jr. and Dr. Jenny Sullivan for equipment and time in the preparation of the beds and a generous financial contribution. Barry and Bev Snetzinger for generous financial contributions. Lyle Dewar for frequent generous financial donations, drilling the post holes, use of a wagon for hauling posts and donating the rope for the sign posts. Jamie McDermid for turning up unexpectedly and when most needed, labouring in site prep, planting, and for donating cups of coffee and encouragement for workers throughout the stages of the project. Angus MacDonald for picking up and delivering the logs from Taylors Sawmill on a day when the sacrifice of his time was especially generous in light of some family commitments. Scott Harper for the patient and generous use of his trailer and for believing the project was important enough to include his daughter Niveah in the design phase. Her input inspired us to dedicate a part of this project to Kids Community Art Making.”
The ceremony then moved on to the unveiling the Community Kids Art Corner. “As you can see, this space is also an arts and sculpture park,” said Mr. Baran. “One of the goals of this project is to encourage the participation of tomorrow’s volunteers.”
One of the sculpture pods in the new Village Square has been designated as a “place where children’s contributions can be highlighted every year.”
Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg was invited to unveil the School of Fish Project as the first inaugural community kids’ art installation. “I am delighted that you have included a Community Kids Art Corner in this beautiful green space to showcase the creative abilities from Manitoulin Island schools, and, more importantly, give students a voice in the village,” he said. “Rainbow District School Board welcomed the opportunity to participate in this fun and functional project, a celebration of community, creativity and collaboration. It enabled our students to let their imaginations soar, while engaging them in art making with meaning.”
Mr. Blaseg noted that “art is a powerful form of communication. With this project, students became more aware of the natural eco-system, the world around them, and their individual and collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet.”
Mr. Blaseg refered to the School of Fish installation as being “much more than a colourful exhibition of artistic ability. It is a reflection of what we value as a school board as we continue to make sustainability a priority and encourage students to adopt environmentally-friendly practices and make healthy lifestyle choices. When you include young people in community projects, you build civic pride from the ground up. Young people will carry these important memories and messages with them as they grow into adulthood and lead us into the future. On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I would like to thank the community of Providence Bay for inviting Rainbow Schools to be part of this exciting experience.”
Mr. Baran also acknowledged “the students from Lakeview School in M’Chigeeng, Pontiac School and the High School in Wiikwemkoong, for participating in the School of Fish project.”
“To wrap up the celebration this afternoon, I want to take a few minutes to let you know what’s next for the sculpture installations in the park,” said Mr. Baran. “At the end of the corner planting bed, an collection of Peace Poles designed and painted by local artists will be installed later this summer.”
A chainsaw carving of a bear with a fish by Joseph Beboning of M’Chigeeng also now graces the park. “It’s a great spot to have your picture taken with a bear hug,” quipped Mr. Baran. In the next bed, the sculpture pad remains empty. “We are working on getting something for that spot so stay tuned and if you are interested in donating to the purchase of a sculpture, or to the purchase of plant material for the sculpture pods, please be in touch with MJ or me.”
“At the far end there, a new sculpture will be installed in August,” continued Mr. Baran. “This installation is the result of the ‘Great Art for Great Lakes’ project. A group called Waterlutions has sponsored eight art installations around the great lakes this summer and Providence Bay is one of them. The winning artist (Julieanne Steedman) who will create the work is with us today and her roots are on Manitoulin. Her creative work will be the depiction of ‘Stories of the Lake’ and she needs your stories to make it happen.”
The Village Square was “made possible by the generous grant from Federal government and an additional donation from the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club,” concluded Mr. Baran.
