“Loyalist Trails” 2004-08: June 19, 2004
In this issue:
– Kingston Branch celebrates Loyalist Day
– New Brunswick Branch display
– Regina Branch Cairn project
– St. Raphaels Ruins Celebration
Articles
Kingston Branch celebrates Loyalist Day
For the eighth year we have raised the Loyalist flag over Confederation Park across from City Hall on 12 June, which has been declared “Loyalist Day in Kingston” in perpetuity by council and the Proclamation goes in the Kingston Whig Standard ahead of time. The Mayor is in attendance, and also a “Duty Band” (a fifer and 2 drummers) from Fort Henry. Lately we have also been aided by one of the three winners of our Loyalist prizes which we donate at the Historica Heritage Fair, early in May. There were over 400 student entries at this plus many local heritage groups’ displays, ours included. This flag remains up for a week to encompass the 19th June.
Last year on June 19th we instigated and donated a permanent flagpole and Loyalist flag at the Loyalist Township offices in Odessa. It flies continuously. Col. the Hon. John Matheson was at both of these ceremonies. Lunch was served afterward.
This Saturday June 19th at 11 o’clock, we are installing a permanent Loyalist flag and plaque on the wall of the genealogist research room (the Bishop’s House) of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
I was honoured to have been asked to give the address at the annual Loyalist service at St. Alban the Martyr Church, Adolphustown last Sunday the 13th June. My next to last “subject” was to point out many of the current projects that the UELAC branches have or are undertaking!!
…Loyally, Carol Davy UE
It was a celebration of culture through the arts as new exhibits, featuring the cultures that have contributed to the development of our City, opened recently at the Saint John Arts Centre. Presented in conjunction with Celebrations 1604-2004, the exhibits represent over 12 cultures including the Aboriginal Community, Greek Community, Italian Community, Black Community, Irish Community and Indian Community.
There are also exhibits by the United Empire Loyalist Association, St. George Society, the Irish Canadian Cultural Association, ARCF, Saint Andrew’s Society, the Saint John Jewish Historical Society, the Chinese Cultural Association of Saint John, the Canadian Lebanon Association and the Portuguese Association of Saint John.
The 400 Year Celebration of Culture through the Arts was officially launched with a well attended reception held June 4th. The event included remarks from various dignitaries including officials from Celebrations 1604- 2004, Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane, and Saint John Portland MLA Trevor Holder who commented that it is important to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going. “I think people need to understand our history and the various cultures that make up our history.” Saint John Arts Centre Chairperson, Betty Tompkins, said she hopes people learn from the exhibits that these are the culture builders of Saint John and that we’ve all worked in harmony for all of these 400 years.
The exhibits run until August 22nd.
Wonderful news from Logan Bjarnason that the final approvals for the Regina Branch’s Cairn Project have come through. This week has been busy, as not least of all the Legislative Assembly’s team which manages such endeavours wanted to see a full-size model of the Cairn – Logan and Shirley, and perhaps others spent a busy few hours building one.
On Friday June 18 the sod-turning ceremony was held. The Cairn will have a prominent position in the Legislative Precinct, which makes up part of the overall Legislative Grounds. Logan says the ceremony went well – more information to come.
We hope there will be a large group of us there at the unveiling during the UELAC annual conference next June 1-5.
St. Raphaels Ruins Celebration
I think that UELAC made a grant to St. Raphaels, in Glengarry County, probably to “The Friends of the Ruins St. Raphaels”, a few years ago. The Ruins were designated a National Historic Site in Sept. 1999. During the last ten years the Friends raised $650,000 for the stabalization of the walls of the historic ruins, and is well on the way to meeting the next challenge of $500,000 to complete the repairs to the east and north exterior walls.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Bishop Alexander Macdonell’s arrival to St. Raphaels, and the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Friends. A large festival weekend will be held July 10 and 11 to celebrate the anniversary with a wide variety of events including BBQ, dinner, concerts, auctions etc. More information at the web site.