More than 200 people jammed into the Devlin Community Hall on Saturday evening to see the unveiling of a history book project that was years in the making—and they were not disappointed.
Joyce Witherspoon, a member of the La Vallee centennial committee, told the packed house what they had gathered to celebrate was the culmination of the efforts of a great many people, was 50 years in the making, and something in which they all should take great pride.
“When we started this project, we had not anticipated such a huge response,” said Witherspoon. “This was a great community project that the entire community contributed to and something we should all be proud of.”
Many of the people present not only contributed notes, stories, and photos for “Connections,” which outlines the history of La Vallee, but were the descendants of some of the original settlers who were there when the municipality was born in 1904.
The book is a large leather-bound work, published by Friesens of Alton, Man.
NDP leader and local MPP Howard Hampton reminded those on hand of what a significant contribution those original settlers made to the opening and development of the north so many years ago.
“The histories of our ancestors who came here are incredible,” Hampton remarked. “They were incredibly interesting people who led incredibly interesting lives.
“Twenty to 30 years from now, these books will be even more valuable than they are tonight,” he predicted.
Evidently, the provincial government shared that assessment. Through the efforts of people like former Fort Frances mayor Glenn Witherspoon, the Trillium Foundation contributed $55,000 toward the project.
According to Witherspoon, who is a member of the Northwest Trillium Board, the foundation was particularly impressed with the concept of this project and therefore quick to come forward with the money.
Witherspoon noted the Trillium Foundation contributes up to $100 million annually to worthy projects.
After the official unveiling of the first copy off the press, the real fun began when veteran auctioneer Rod Salchert began soliciting bids on it.
The bids came fast and furious at first as the price rose to above $500, at which point bidding began to slow down. Salchert then used his well-known wit and humour to gently coerce the crowd into pushing the price higher.
As the bidding approached $1,000, there were only two contenders left—and the book eventually went to Guy Donaldson and Kelly Spicer for $1,025.
Afterwards, a pleased and proud Donaldson said he considered it money well spent and intended to preserve his copy for future generations.
“It’s going to stay in the box forever,” he vowed. “I bought it as a keepsake for my daughter.”
Donaldson, like many others, then lined up to buy an additional copy for actual use.
This beautifully bound and painstakingly researched book now is available to the general public for $70 each. To purchase a copy, contact any member of the La Vallee centennial committee or go online to www.lavallee.ca
Also Saturday, historian, author, humorist, and Fort Frances Times columnist Kate Ruttan (portrayed by Elizabeth Donaldson) even made an appearance to read some of her poetry to the crowd.
The next major event to mark La Vallee’s centennial year is the St. Patrick’s Ball taking place Saturday, March 20.
For more information on this and other upcoming events, contact Ken McKinnon (486-3451), Freeda Carmody (486-3338), Liz Donaldson (482-3334), Sheri Stamarski (486-3535), Maxine Hayes (274-6049), Don McCulloch (486-1201), or Joyce Witherspoon (486-1153).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
