Dear editor:
I stood amazed on Nov. 12, 1999 when the “Paint the Town” heritage mural was unveiled revealing E.W. Backus, my great-grandfather, stunningly represented by the artist Brian Romagnoli in the midst of rolls of paper, dams, and mill illustrations.
A hush came over my heart as I realized how a man of passion and great sight still impacts many of our lives today–100 years later.
Mayor Glenn Witherspoon and citizens of Fort Frances, thank you for welcoming me and my family to your town. Your sincere gratitude held for a man none of us has known personally was apparent.
Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray and local MP Robert Nault, both of you added an additional welcome from the province of Ontario. We enjoyed our breakfast and luncheon at the Rainy Lake Hotel with each of you (hats off to the chef and staff).
How to applaud Julian Morelli? That is the question. If there had not been a Julian Morelli, there would not have been a mural of E.W. Backus painted on the side of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the reunion of my family would not have taken place.
Thank you, Julian, and your excellent U.S. team member, Samuel Woods, for inviting us to share in an international event that brought together members of my family who had not seen each other for 30 years!
La Place Rendez-Vous Hotel served a “melt in your mouth” farewell luncheon the day following the mural unveiling. Thank you, BIA!
Jim Gartshore, thank you for planning a tour of Abitibi-Consolidated so the family could see first-hand the making of paper on what used to be a “Backus site.” Impressive, even mind-boggling.
On behalf of the family, I thank each citizen of Canada for the part you played to make our stay in your town special. We went home carrying life-changing memories never to be forgotten.
Sincerely yours,
Lynne Jubilee Cumming (great-granddaughter),
Marilyn Elizabeth Backus Cumming (granddaughter),
Mark Simons Cumming (great-grandson), and
Robin Homar Cumming (wife of Great-grandson).