Ceremony marks end of an era

Fort Frances marked the end of an era Tuesday with the closing ceremonies for one of the town’s original elementary schools, Alexander MacKenzie.
Nearly 100 people—including past students and staff, along with parents—came out to the school to say good-bye to the past and to greet the future.
Among the crowd were three sisters who had attended the school in its early years.
Marvel Engler said she had attended the school in the early 1930s, and that her father had helped to build the school. Engler attended the ceremony with her sisters, Edna Benjamin and Lorena Jaman, who travelled from Atikokan for the event.
“It’s a long time since we’ve been back in here,” Jaman said, adding she was looking forward to looking through the school to see what changes had taken place.
The ceremony began in the school basement with Dr. Bruce Lidkea playing the bagpipes, leading in a group of speakers, followed by the singing of “O Canada” and a prayer, lead by Pastor Tony Geense.
“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for students, parents, and staff,” said principal Donna Kowalchuk. “Places or locations may change, but the warmth and friendliness that Alexander MacKenzie School is noted for will move to J.W. Walker with us.”
Warren Hoshizaki, education director for the Rainy River District School Board, thanked the staff for their commitment to the students and the community.
Dr. Lorena Jenks, president of the school council, remembered her first impressions of the school when she brought her children here eight years ago.
“I was struck by its homey, cozy atmosphere,” she noted. “Unfortunately, times chance and buildings change, so we must move on. Hopefully, the same feeling of closeness and camaraderie will be there.”
Judy Johansen gave a brief history of the school. Work began on the original structure on Aug. 2, 1928 and cost the school board $27,055.55 at the time.
In 1946, there were 90 students in Grades 1-4 at Alexander MacKenzie, and it was decided to enlarge the school. The expanded building opened Jan. 6, 1948.
One of the teachers presented Kowalchuk with an old school bell—on loan from the Fort Frances Museum. The original school bell could not be found.
Kowalchuk gently rang the bell for the students, and explained to them this was how children were called in from recess before the school was equipped with an electric buzzer.
Custodian Brian Harris presented the principal with the key to the school and then Kowalchuk unveiled a painting of the school, done by local artist Vi Plumridge.
The painting will hang in the new J.W. Walker School, along with paintings of the other schools closing this year—Sixth Street and Alberton Central.
Teacher Diane DeBenedet told the crowd about the school’s time capsule, which was put together and buried in 1992. The capsule was presented to Kowalchuk to be brought to the new school to be buried again.
Vice-principal Bill Daley thanked various groups and community members for their support for the school.
To conclude the ceremony, Shandy Angus and Samantha Stuart of the First Fort Frances Girl Guides unit, under the supervision of teacher and Guide leader Monica Armour, folded the school’s flag and presented it to the principal.
The ceremony was followed by an indoor picnic (thanks to the rain).
Alberton Central will be having its closing barbecue June 3 at 6 p.m.