A total of 50 people showed up at the newly-opened Chapple Community Centre in Barwick on Friday to partake of a spaghetti dinner and hear heritage committee chair Rilla Race give an update on coming events.
The summer season begins as soon as this weekend when the Chapple Museum opens for another year, beginning Saturday. Race said volunteers are welcome to come on Thursday to help in a little “spring cleaning” for the opening.
“We hope people come out,” she said. “There’s always something new to see there,” she added.
Also on the agenda is the new lighthouse to be built on the point by the boat launch. That project has been in the works for some time, but beginning on the Victoria Day weekend, it begins in earnest.
For starters, the old Barwick Hotel is being cannibalized to build a retaining wall around the base of the new lighthouse. The committee is selling the bricks for $100 to raise money for the new project.
“We’ve already raised $5,300 from people buying bricks in their own name or in memory of someone else,” Race noted. “We’re looking at taking the building down on the (Victoria Day) long weekend.”
To that end, Race wants more than financial contributions to keep to the schedule.
“We’re looking for a few good men on those days,” quipped Race.
Race said the committee hopes to begin construction on the lighthouse some time over the summer, but she could not predict a completion date.
Race also gave an update on the Chapple School reunion planned for the Chapple Day celebrations during the August long weekend next year. It would seem people are already interested.
“Everyone is invited to come,” she said. “We’ve already received e-mails from as far away as Washington, D.C. and California,” she said.
Race stressed the necessity for letting the committee know well in advance so it knows how many will be in attendance.
“If you plan to attend the events, especially the meals, you must pre-register,” Race warned.
In addition to the reunion, other planned activities include:
• a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning;
• a dinner on Saturday evening;
• and a Sunday brunch.
Additional activities may include a Sunday church service in the park, a silent auction of crafts made by Chapple residents and possibly a school dance.
Those wishing to register are asked to contact the Chapple Heritage Committee at P.O. Box 54, Barwick, Ont. PAW 1A0 or Rilla Race at (807) 487-2655.
You can also find more information as it becomes available on the Internet at www.chapple.on.ca.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
