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December 15, 2000
Ontario Heritage Foundation recognition
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The work of the Ontario Heritage Foundation (OHF) was profiled here
several months ago.
The OHF is a non-profit organization of the provincial government, and
among many excellent initiatives, provides awards to individuals and groups
that have helped in "preserving, protecting, and/or promoting the provinces
rich heritage."
Recommendations are submitted by municipalities and are approved by
the foundation.A framed certificate and an OHF pin are presented to each
participant in an appropriate ceremony in the home community. The press
usually covers the event, giving heritage some community recognition. The
2000 awards have been presented in the area recently, and Community Voices
would like to profile some of them in this heritage column.
John Fretwell, North Himsworth Township
John Fretwell has served on the Callander Bay Heritage Museum board for
several years, and is the current Chairman. He has spent many hours working
at the museum, caring for artefacts, gardening and even show shovelling
when necessary. He has conducted extensive heritage research, including
a profile of North Himsworth Reeves. He has a long-standing interest and
knowledge of post offices, stamps, postmarks etc., and has displayed some
of his collection on occasion. He served several years as president of
the North Bay and District Philatelic club. John was called to a council
meeting on museum business, and was surprised by the award on Nov. 21,
2000.
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John Frewell, Chairman of the Callander Bay Heritage Museum,
with his award. |
The Temagami Caribou Mountain Fire Tower Project Committee
The eleven members of the fire tower committee that oversaw the project
each received and award at the Temagami council meeting Nov. 2, 2000.
For years, most people passing through this town of 1, 000, an hour
north of North Bay, wouldn't stop. The fire tower has made a big difference.
The abandoned fire tower was restored with funds raised by the committee,
and included grants from the Ontario Heritage Fund. The complex now has
a pond, trapper's shed-which is a trapper's museum-and six kilometres of
trails. The second phase of the project included a new platform, housing
an historical display, and equipment used for fire fighting. It was officially
opened by Tim Hudak, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines
in July, 2000. The winners, including Mayor Wayne Adair, are: John Rumney,
John Grass, Debbie Burrows, Muffy Migwans, Morris Robertson, Don McMillan,
Ike Laba, Pru Lafreniere.
The Stillar Powassan General Store Restoration
Gary and Lori Stillar received an award at Powassan's volunteer awards
night on October 18, 2000, for their restoration of the old Powassan General
Store that now houses their plumbing and electrical business. A photo of
the building was shown in the first Heritage Perspectives column last April.
The original store was built in 1891, and was the subject of the Powassan
75th anniversary coin, and is an eye-catching sight on the Main St. of
Powassan. The Stillars spared no expense with a thorough restoration, including
bringing out windows that had been blocked and repainting signs in their
original style. The two-story veranda was rebuilt with all of the gingerbread
details.
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Gery Stiller and his wife Lorie received a heritage award
for the restoration of their store on the Main Street of Powassan. |
Marion Morris, Machar Township
As described in this column in May, Marion Morris took the lead in producing
the township's history Journey Through the Whispering Pines: A History
of Machar Township 1875-2000. Along with her research for the book, she
learned desktop publishing and designed and word-processed it herself.
She is the volunteer historian for the South River-Machar Agricultural
Society. She was presented the award at a special evening on Dec. 1, 2000.
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Matin Parker, business administrator for the village of
South River, left, and Machar Township Reeve Harvey Piunkerton present
Marion Morris of South River with a crongratulory certificate for her work
and her heritage award. |
A widely circulating OHF poster listing all the winners, with photographs
of some of their projects will be out soon. Many outstanding contributors
to Ontario heritage have been recognized over the years, and many more
will be in the future.
Our thanks to all these heritage enthusiasts, especially the year 2000
recipients mentioned above.
For further information on the award, contact Barbara McIntosh at (416)
325-5032, or visit the OHF web
site.
Heritage Perspective Home Page
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