TEHKUMMAH—Barbara Flaherty is spearheading efforts to bring veteran banners to Hydro One poles in her community with the assistance of her sisters Evelyn Russell-Baehr and Esther Spadzinski and community organizations.
“It’s a real team effort,” she notes.
Ms. Russell-Baehr is organizing information on the computer and Esther is researching war records for more information whenever such is needed. The path has not been without its challenges. Originally informed that Hydro One would never allow anything to be put up on their poles, Ms. Flaherty remained undaunted and by this past October she was able to secure the support of Tehkummah town council and Hydro One.
After seeing veteran banners festoon the downtown areas of other communities, gaining the same for her own community became something of a passion project for the Tehkummah woman.
“My dad was a Second World War veteran,” she said. “He signed up right away and was there right from the beaches right up to 1946. He never talked about it.” Her father passed away in 1994.
“History is just passing away with the old folks,” said Ms. Flaherty. “That is why we need to do a little more.”
She reached out to Little Current’s Linda Bowerman, who successfully spearheaded the movement in Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands and Old Mill Heritage Centre curator Rick Nelson in Billings to discover best practices.
She discovered that getting the banners made is one thing, but along with the two-foot strips of heavy duty fabric on which the images and information are printed, each banner requires two brackets in order to be attached to the poles.
“The plan is to have 20 banners, 10 in Tehkummah and 10 in South Baymouth,” she said, and they are close to reaching that number. “We still need a few more. We have 10 more in, ready to print, and four more have shown up—so we need five more.”
The business community in Tehkummah has stepped up, ordering three sets of brackets, as has Tehkummah council, the Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club and the Triangle Seniors Club—which provided funds for three sets of brackets.
“We have had amazing support,” said Ms. Flaherty. The group just needs a little more to get over the top, she notes, “that’s why we are reaching out to The Expositor. We have posted online about the banners, but not everyone is on social media.”
“Anyone with a connection to Tehkummah is welcome,” she assures The Expositor. “Whether someone has moved away, or just moved here, all are welcome.”
The banners themselves cost $133, and the set of brackets to hang the banner is $170, although she isn’t seeking the cost of the brackets, it would be welcomed. Total cost to sponsor a banner for a family member is $170.
“This is an ongoing project,” said Ms. Flaherty. “If someone doesn’t get a banner this year, and they would like one, just let us know. There will be more opportunity to come.”
She has a form that includes the veteran’s name, their service (i.e. army, navy or air force) and, if possible, a photograph. The form also includes contact information for the sponsor and who should be featured as the sponsor on the banner.
The information and funds can be e-transfered to barbaraflaherty269@gmail.com, or sponsors can contact Ms. Flaherty for pickup of cash or cheques (should be made out to Barbara Flaherty), or mail them to Barbara Flaherty, 460 15th Sideroad, Tehkummah, ON, P0P 2C0.
